tihravy  of  tht  ti^eolo^ical  ^tminary 


PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 
PRESENTED  BY 

Wlllian  L.  Ulyat 
BX  8  .S88 

Stow,  Baron,  1801-1869. 
Christian  brotherhood 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/christianbrotherOOstow_0 


PDBLISHED  BY 

GOULD  AND  LINCOLN,  BOSTON. 


THE  CDRISTIAX  LIFE,  PETER  HAYNE,  L^ino,  1.25. 

THE  SCHOOL  OF  CHRIST,  A.  L.  R.  FOOTE,  IGmO,  50. 

SUFFERING  SAVIOUR,  FKED.  W.  KKrMMACIIER,  P.  D.,  12mO,  1.25. 

WEEATR  AROUND  THE  CROSS,  A.  MOUTON  EROTVN.  D,  D.,  IGmO,  CO. 

PHILOSOPHY  OF  THE  PLAN  OF  SALVATION,  121110,  75. 

THE  OREAT  TEACHER,  JOHN  HARRIS,  D.  I).,  12mO,  85. 

IMITATION  OF  CHRIST,  THOMAS  A  KEMTIS,  12mo,  85, 

lord's  PRAYER,  WILLIAM   R.  WILLIAMS,  D- D.,  12lT10,  85. 

RELIGIOUS  PROGRESS,  WILLIAM  R.  WILLIAMS,  D.  D.,  12raO,  85. 

CHRISTIAN'S  DAILY  TREASURY,  TESIPLE,  121110,  1.00. 

GLAD  TIDINGS,  DR.  TWEEUIE,  16mO, 

LAMP  TO  THE  PATH,  DK.  TWEEDIE,  lOmo, 

SEED-TIME  AND  HARVEST,  DR.  TWKKlJlE,  KimO,  63. 

THE  BETTKR  LAND,  AUGUSTUS  C.  THOMPSON,  12mO,  85. 

CHURCH  MEMBER'S  GUIDE,  JOHN  ANOKI.L  JAMES,  18m O,  S3. 

cnuncji  member's  handbook,  william  crowell,  d.  d., ISmo,  38. 

CHURCH  IN  EARNEST,  JOHN  ANGELL  JAMES,  18mO,  40. 
CHRISTIAN  PROGRESS,  JOHN  ANGELL  JAMES,  ISmO,  31. 
RELIGIONS  OF  THE  WORLD,  MAURICE,  IfilllO,  CO. 
CHRISTIAN  WORLD  UNMASKKf),  JOHN  liERKIDGE,  16mO,  50. 
LIFE  OF  JAMES  MONTGOMERY,  KNIGHT,  121110,1.25. 
THE  SIGNET  RING,  FROM  THE  GERMAN,  IGlIlO,  31. 

THE  BIBLE  AND  THE  CLOSET,  ED.  BY  DR.  CH0ULE3,  32niO,  gilt,  31 . 

THE  FAMILY  ALTAR,  32mO,  gilt,  31. 

DAILY  MANNA,  BARON  STOW,  32mO,  gilt,  31. 

THE  ACTIVE  CHRISTIAN,  JOHN  HARRIS,  D.  D.,  32mO,  gilt,  31. 
THE  YOUNG  COMMUNICANT,  32mO,  gilt,  31. 
THE  CASKET  OF  JEWELS,  32niO,  gUt,  31. 

APOLLOS,  DIRKCTIONS  FOR  YOUNG  CHK I STI ANH,  32niO,  gilt.  C  Ct9. 
KITTO'S  POPULAR  CYCLOP.KDIA  OF  BIBLICAL  LITERATURE.    FlVC  IlUIl- 

dred  Illustrations.   One  volume  octavo,  S12  pp.,  cloth,  3.00. 
KiTTO's  HISTORY  OF  PALESTINE.  2O0  lUiistrations.  12mo,  1.25. 

KADIE'S     ANALYTICAL    CONCORDANCE     TO    TUB     HOLY  SCRIPTURES, 

octavo.  810  pp.,  3.00. 

CRUDEN'S  CONDENSED  CONCORDANCE  TO  THE  ItlBLE,  OCtavO,  1.25. 

CHAMBERS'  WORKS.   Cyclopedia  of  English  Literature;  Miscellany,  10 

vols.;  Home  Book.CvoIn. 
MILLER'S  WORKS.  My  Scltools  and  Sclioolmaiters  ;  Footprints  of  Creator ; 

Old  R'.>d  Sandiitonc;  First  Impressions  of  England  ;  Testimony  of  the 

Rocks  i  Cruise  of  the  Ilctsey,  etc. 

KNOWLEDGE  IS  POWER,  KNIGHT,  ED.  BY  D.  A.  WELLS,  12m0,  1.35. 
ANNUAL   OF    SCIENTillC    DISCOVERY    IX   SCIENCE   AND    ART,    ED.  BY 

D.  A.  WELLS,  l2mo,  1.25. 
MEMOIR  or  AMOS  LAWRENCE,  OCtavO,  1.50;  12m0,  1.00. 


03/^  With  a  great  variety  of  other  Religious^  Liferanj,  Scientific, 
_  and  E'lucational  fVorks. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD: 


A 

LETTER 


TO  THE 

HON.  HEMAN  LINCOLN. 


B  Y 

BARON  "  stow,  D.D., 

PASTOR  OF  T  II  K   H  O  W  US  T  li  K  li  T   C  H  L"  K  f  If,  I!  O  S  T  O  N. 


BOSTON: 
GOULD    AND  LINCOLN, 

50  WASniXOTON  STREET. 
NEW  YORK:  SIIELDON  AND  COMPANY. 
CINCINNATI:  GEORGE  S.  BLiVNCUARU. 
185  9. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S53,  by 
GOULD  &  LINCOLN, 
In  the  Cleric's  OiHce  of  llic  District  Court  of  tlie  District  of  Massocliusetts. 


KLKCTROTTFKD 

■W.  F    DRAPEB,  ANDOVER,  MASS. 

PRINTED  B? 

GEO.  C.  I^AND  S:  AVERT,  BOSTON. 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS,    7 

I. 

TUE  UNION  THAT  IS  DESIRABLE,         ....  21 
II. 

CONSIDERATIONS  THAT  RENDER  CHRISTIAN  UNION 
DESIRABLE,      .      .      .      •  31 

I.  THE  INJURIOOS  EFFECT  OF  DIVISION   UPON   THE  PIETY  OP 

THE  CHITBCB,  35 

II.  THE  INJURIOUS  KFFKCT  OP   DIVISION   IN  PEBVERTINO  A  M> 

WASTING  THE  KES0URCE8  OF  THE  CHUUCH,    ...  58 

III.  TnE  INJURIOUS  EFFECT  OF  I>IVISION  IN  WEAKENING  THE 

DEJI0N8TRATI0N  IN  FAVOU  OF  OUK  BELIOION,        .        .  79 

III. 

SOME  METHODS   BY  WHICH  OUR  OWN  DENOMINA- 
TION MAY  PROBABLY  CONTRIBUTE  TO  THE  I'ROMO- 
-    TION  OF  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD,       ...  110 

I.    WE    MAY    ENDEAVOR,     CARKFUI-LT,   TO    DISPOSSESS  OUR- 
SELVES OP  TUE  SPIRIT  OF  SECT,  112 


CONTENTS. 


PARK 

II.  WE   MAT    CULTIVATE    A    UIGHEE    DEGREE    OP  PERSONAL 

HOLINESS  117 

III.  WE  MAT  ILLUSTRATE   BT  OUR  OWN  PRACTICE  THE  GREAT 

PRINCIPLE,   THAT    THE    WORD    OF    GOD    IS    THE  SOLE 
AUTHORIZED  STANDARD  IN  ALL  MATTERS  OF  RELIGION,  124 

IV.  WE  MAT  CHEEKFULLT  SURRENDER  EVERYTHING  ADVERSE 

TO  UNION,  -WHICH  WE  ARE  NOT  BOUND  BY  ODR  ALLEGI- 
ANCE  TO  CHRIST  TO  RETAIN,  1*6 

V.  WE  MAY    CAREFULLY  REFRAIN  FROM   EVERYTHING  THAT 

MAY  UNNECESSARILY  TEND  TO  WIDEN  THE  BREACH 
AMONG  CHRISTIANS,  OR  TEND  TO  PERPETU.VTE  ITS  CON- 
TINUANCE,  150 

VI.  WE  MAY  COOPERATE   WITH   ALL    CHRISTIANS  IN  EVERY- 

THING NOT  INTERDICTED  BY  THE  LAWS  OP  CHRIST,   .  170 

VII.  WE  MAY  ENCOURAGE  A  PACIFIC  MINISTRY,  .        .  191 

VIII.  WE  MAY  PATRONIZE  A  PEACE-MAKING  PRE?.'!,     .        .  202 


l.Y.   WE    MAY   l.MPLORE  A    LARGER    EFl^USION    OF  THE  HOLY 

6P1UIT,   20i 


CHPJSTIAJ(  BEOTHERnOOD. 


TO  THE  HONORABLE  HEMAN  LINCOLN: 

My  Deak  Christian  Brother, — 

As  I  have  a  few  thoughts 
upon  an  important  subject  ■\vhich  I  wish  to  con- 
vey, in  a  familiar  manner,  to  those  Christian  dis- 
ciples by  whose  distinctive  name  we  are  both 
known,  and  to  whom  we  sustain  endeared  rcla7 
tions,  I  venture  resjiectfully  to  avail  myself  of  the 
influence  of  your  name  as  a  valuable  aid  to  their 
transmission. 

I  can  think  of  no  fitter  medium.  For  nearly 
sixty  years  you  have  been  attached  by  j)rofossion 
and  by  practice  to  the  people  called  Ba2)tist.s, 
and  during  that  period  you  have  never  wavered 
from  the  great  principles  on  which  their  churches 
have  ever  been  "grounded  and  settled."  Having 
l^pen  led  to  the  cross  for  pardon,  and  introduced 
into  the  "household  of  faith,"  by  that  eminent 
servant  of  God,  whose  memory  is  so  fragrant  in 


8 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


our  American  Zion,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Baldwin ;  and 
having  enjoyed,  through  many  years,  not  only 
the  benefits  of  his  instructive  ministry,  but  the 
peculiar  advantages  of  a  confidential  intimacy 
which  death  only  could  interrupt,  you  had  the 
best  of  facilities  for  acquiring  a  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  Divine  truth,  and  becoming  intelligently 
estabhshed  in  those  doctrines  which  are  the  be- 
liever's rock  of  strength.  The  result  has  been 
seen  in  your  history,  which,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
has  been  hajipily  protracted.  You  arc  understood 
to  be  now,  at  fourscore,  what  you  was  previous 
to  your  majority  —  a  Baptist.  As  such,  you  are 
widely  known,  and  as  widely  respected.  Though 
you  have  out-lived  whole  generations,  and  though 
ueaa-ly  all  who  knew  you  best  have  gone  to  their 
final  home,  yet  the  name  of  no  other  layman  in 
our  ecclesiastical  connection  is  to-day  familiar  to 
so  many  ears,  and  dear  to  so  many  hearts,  as  the 
name  you  bear. 

But  it  is  not  merely  or  chiefly  the  estimation 
in  whicli  you  are  held  that  prompts  me  to  asso- 
ciate with  your  name  this  particular  service.  Hav- 
ing, for  more  than  thirty  years,  been  favored  with 
your  personal  friendship,  and  also,  as  I  believe, 
with  your  fratcnial  confidence,  I  have  had  ample 
opportunity  to  become  acquainted  with  your  opin- 
ions and  feelings  Avith  resj^ect  to  every  question 


CHRISTIAN"  EROTHEEHOOD. 


9 


that  pertains  to  the  Christian  Life  an<:l  tlxe  ad- 
vancement of  the  Redeemer's  kiugJom.  TVe  have 
often  conversed  upon  the  evil  of  schisms  among 
the  friends  of  Christy  and  the  desirableness  of 
some  cordial,  successful  endeavor  to  bring  nearer 
together  the  di\-ided  portions  of  that  Body  of 
which  Christ  is  the  Head ;  and  I  understand  that 
your  views,  and  those  which  may  find  expression 
in  this  Letter,  are  essentially  coincident.  I  know 
not  the  particular  in  which  we  have  ever  disa- 
greed ;  and  the  fact  that  our  Christian  sjTnpathies 
have  run  so  long  and  so  concun-ently  in  a  com- 
mon channel,  has  contributed  largely  to  the  pleas- 
ore  of  my  ministry.  However  the  advocates  of 
a  relaxed  carefulness  in  Chri.>-tian  morals  may  have 
regarded  you  as  exact  and  scrupulous,  you  have 
never,  I  am  sure,  been  charged  with  anything  like 
narrowness  or  exclusiveness  in  your  love  to  the 
great  Christian  brotherhood.  Immovably  as  you 
have  rested  upon  the  fundamental  truths  of  Divine 
Revelation,  as  you  understand  them,  and  firmly 
as  you  have  adhered  to  the  ecclesiastical  jiolity 
which  you  believe  to  be  developed  in  the  New 
Testament,  tlie  discoveiy  of  the  first  indication  of 
sectarian  bigotry  is  reserv  ed  for  the  man  who  has 
not  yet  appeared.  The  right  of  private  judg- 
ment —  that  primary  principle  dear  to  every  con- 
sistent Baptist  —  I  liave  never  known  you  to  qncs- 


10 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


tion,  either  directly  or  by  implication.  You  have 
been  accustomed  to  respect  the  consciences  of 
others  just  as  you  would  have  your  own  con- 
science respected.  "While  you  have  been  com- 
pelled by  assured  convictions  to  occujiy  essentially 
the  platfoi-m  of  a  sect,  yet,  as  fitting  occasions 
have  offered,  you  have  never  failed  to  rise  supe- 
rior to  that  platfomi,  and  occupy  the  higher, 
broader  plane  of  Christian  fraternity,  manifest- 
ing your  fellowship  with  multitudes  not  included 
in  your  own  denomination.  Your  special  con- 
nection with  a  peoj^le  of  a  particular  name,  you 
have  never  felt  to  be  a  bondage.  Your  compre- 
hensive brotherly  love  has  found,  in  numerous 
ways,  unrestricted  scoj^e.  You  have  desired  no 
greater  freedom  than  you  have  uniformly  enjoyed; 
and  of  the  privileges  of  a  free  Christian  you  have, 
at  pleasure,  availed  yourself,  oxor  mmdful  of  all 
Divine  limitations,  ever  having  respect  to  "the 
perfect  Law  of  liberty."  Hence  you  have  been 
accustomed,  during  a  long  life,  not  only  to  asso- 
ciate on  equal  terms  with  Christians  of  other 
names,  but  also  to  cooperate  with  them  in  works 
of  benevolence.  This  has  been  your  delight ;  and 
it  has  given  you  a  wide-spread  intiuence,  concili- 
ating thousands,  not  only  towards  yourself  as 
liberal,  but  also  towards  the  denomination  whose 
spirit  you  represented.    In  reviewing  the  past 


CHRISTIAN'  BEOTUERHOOD. 


11 


from  your  present  position  on  the  frontier  of  the 
Better  Land,  yon  do  not,  I  am  confident,  regret 
that  you  have  cheiished,  on  so  broad  a  scale, 
this  spirit,  adding  to  your  "  brothei'ly-kindness 
charity,"  or  that  you  have  given  to  this  feeling  of 
your  heart  so  varied  and  distinct  an  expression. 
Assuredly,  your  eternal  fixture  is  brightened  by 
the  prosjject  of  association  with  many  whom 
you  have  known  here,  not  as  Baptists,  but  as 
Christians,  —  the  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  our 
Saviour. 

Some  personal  explanations,  at  this  point,  may 
not  be  impertinent.  "While  on  a  journey  to  Xew 
York,  in  the  autumn  of  1842,  I  had  a  seat  for  sev- 
eral hours  by  the  side  of  a  clergyman  of  another 
denomination,  whom  I  had  long  known  as  a  de- 
voted Christian,  and  for  whom  I  cherished  a  strontr 
fraternal  affection.  We  had  labored  together  in 
efforts  for  the  spiritual  benefit  of  our  fellow-men, 
and  on  almost  every  point  of  Christian  truth  and 
duty  our  views  had  ever  been  in  deliglitful  har- 
mony. Our  conversation,  during  those  hours  of 
spiritual  communion,  turned  mainly  u2)on  prayer 
as  a  means  of  promoting  personal  holiness,  and 
more  particularly  upon  the  idea  suggested  by  the 
words  of  the  apostle — "sujiplication  for  all  saints." 
As  an  illustration  of  his  own  view.*,  my  excellent 


12 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


brother  mentioned  the  happy  effect  upon  his  own 
mind  of  a  practical  compliance  with  that  sugges- 
tion. His  words  were :  "  I  have  been  a  happier 
man  ever  since  I  adopted  the  practice  of  always 
praying  for  other  denominations  before  I  pray 
for  my  own,  or  even  for  myself  My  heart  has 
been  drawn  out,  as  it  never  was  before,  in  love 
for  all  Christians.  I  now  know  what  it  is  to  sym- 
pathize in  their  afflictions  and  rejoice  in  their 
prosperity,  and  they  all  seem  to  me  as  my  Fath- 
er's fomily."  These  remarks  were  lodged  in  my 
memory,  and  became  the  subject  of  many  reflec- 
tions, and  the  occasion  of  some  tender  emotions. 
A  few  months  afterwards,  being  disqualified,  by 
the  loss  of  my  voice,  for  public  labor,  I  availed 
myself  of  the  silence  and  solitude  to  which  I  was 
subjected,  to  do  what  I  never  could  have  accom- 
plished amid  the  activities  of  my  pastoral  voca- 
tion,—  I  put  upon  paper  the  substance  of  the 
following  communication.  The  manuscript  has 
remained  in  my  hands  more  than  fiflecn  years, — 
a  period  much  longer  than  Horace  recommends 
to  authors  for  purjjoses  of  revision  and  emenda- 
tion. The  whole  has  been  since  rcAvritten  with 
as  much  of  care  as  was  compatible  with  imilli- 
plied  public  duties.  You  will  perceive  that  I 
liave  not  confined  myself  to  a  development  of 
the  germinal  thought,  —  jDrayer  for  all  Christians, 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


13 


—  tut  I  have  taken  a  much  broader  range,  and 
introduced  that  thought  as  one  of  a  series. 

I  have  adojjted  the  epistolary,  rather  than  the 
didactic  or  the  declamatory,  style,  as  j^osscssing 
some  peculiar  advantages,  especially  as  being  the 
more  familiar  and  affectionate  mode  of  address, 
and  adapted  to  the  present  condition  of  my  moral 
feelings. 

That  my  views  will  meet  from  all  a  cordial 
assent,  I  do  not,  of  course,  anticipate.  Still,  I 
venture  the  expectation  that  by  many  they  will 
be  kindly  welcomed;  for  I  am  sure  that,  in  our  de- 
nomination, there  are  thousands  in  Avhose  bosoms 
is  a  sympathetic  chord  that  ever  vibrates  at  the 
lightest  touch  of  tliis  tender  subject,  —  thousands 
who  are  inquiring  for  some  jjath  in  which  they 
can  legitimately  and  honestly  walk  towards  a 
consummation  for  which  their  hearts  are  ever 
longing.  To  all  such  I  would  gladly  render  some 
aid ;  and  in  the  attempt  I  trust  it  will  not  appear 
that  I  assume  the  office  of  censor,  or  even  of 
teacher.  My  desire  is  to  suggest,  without  a 
breach  of  modesty,  such  considerations  as  may 
possibly  facilitate  thought  and  activity  in  the 
dcsu-ablc  direction.  Should  the  effort  contribute 
in  any  measure  towards  the  accomplishment  of 
its  intended  object,  I  shall  be  grateful  to  Ilim 
to  whom  I  regard  myself  as  indebted,  both  for 
2 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


the  motive  by  which  it  has  been  prompted,  and 
for  the  Spirit  under  Avhose  guidance  it  has  been 
conceived  and  executed. 

You,  my  brother,  understand  me,  and  Tvill  be 
ajJi^rehensive  of  no  sinister  design,  on  my  part, 
to  remove  any  of  the  ancient  hxnd-marks.  And 
yet  your  obsei'vation  has  taught  you  how  j^ossi- 
ble  it  is  that  I  may  be  suspected  of  a  tendency 
to  diverge  from  the  "okl  jiaths,"  and  a  disposi- 
tion to  sacrifice  truth  upon  the  altar  of  theory,  i 
You  are  aware  of  no  such  procUvity.  "I  dwell 
among  mine  own  people."  From  convictions 
fonned  in  early  life,  and  often  since  reviewed,  I 
am  conscientiously  one  of  them,  and  one  with 
them.  I  know  not  that  I  have  ever  felt  or  exhib- 
ited antipathy  to  any  denomination  of  Christians. 
I  have  seen  excellences  in  all,  such  as  we  might 
profitably  imitate,  and  I  have  never  seen  the 
hour  Avhen  I  was  not  perfectly  willing,  should 
my  investigations  touching  the  correctness  of 
our  belief  and  practice  make  the  duty  obvious, 
to  change  my  ecclesiastical  name  and  relations, 
and  unite  with  any  portion  of  "  the  household  of 

1  "  Commonly,  it  brings  a  man  under  suspicion  of  favorinj; 
pome  heresy,  or  abatinj;  his  zeal,  if  he  but  attempt  a  pacifi- 
catory work."  —  Baxter's  Reformed  Pastor. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


15 


faith,"  Avhere  truth  might  aj^pear  to  be  more  fully 
honored,  and  Christ  more  faithfully  obeyed.  But 
in  everj'  instance  I  have  returned  from  the  exam- 
ination of  the  infallible  Word  Avith  increased  con- 
fidence in  the  general  scripturalness  of  our  doc- 
trine and  polity.  As  I  understand  the  teachings 
of  our  Lord  and  liis  inspired  Apostles,  I  cannot 
honestly  be  otherwise  than  ■w  hat  I  have  been  fi-om 
the  beginning;  and  though  I  should,  for  all  rea- 
sons, prefer  the  name  which  was  given  to  believers 
at  Antioch,  and  am  always  grieved  when  I  think 
of  the  multiplicity  of  names  by  which  that  com- 
prehensive and  appropriate  designation  has  been 
overlaid  and  degraded  ;  yet,  as  circumstances  arc, 
—  as  the  Christian  host  is  divided  and  subdivided 
into  a  gi'eat  variety  of  sects,  every  one  with  its 
distinctive  a2)2)ellation,  —  I  am  not  ashamed  of 
the  one  by  which  we  are  recognized.  It  is  not 
wanting  in  antiquity,  and,  as  now  understood,  it 
is  snfBciently  expressive.  It  denotes  what  I  really 
am,  and  what  you  are,  and  what,  without  a  new 
revelation,  we  expect  to  be  until  Ave  shall  join 
that  portion  of  "  the  whole  family "  to  every  one 
of  wliom  is  given  "a  new  name  which  no  man 
knoweth,  saving  lie  that  receiveth  it."  Nor  am 
I,  by  comparison,  ashamed  of  my  company;  for, 
allliough  there  may  be  some  persons  and  some 
things  among  us  that  I  suppose  could  well  bo 


16 


CHRISTIAN  I5E0THEKH00D. 


spared,  and  others  that  might  be  greatly  improved, 
yet  here  are  a  j^eople  with  whom  I  can  happily 
labor  for  Christian  ends,  and  jfrom  whom  I  should 
count  it  an  affliction  to  be  sci^arated.  To  the 
practical  devoloi>ment  of  those  principles  which 
we  have  learned  at  the  feet  of  our  great  Teacher, 
my  life  is  devoted.  Whatever,  therefore,  you 
may  find  in  this  fraternal  communication,  you 
need  not  be  reluctant  to  receive  on  the  groimd 
of  any  ajJijrehension  that  the  writer  has  changed 
his  views,  or  is  becoming  indifferent  to  the  claims 
of  any  truth  or  any  duty.  "I  can  do  nothing 
against  the  truth ; "  my  heart's  desire  is  to  do 
something  "for  the  truth." 

Now,  dear  brother,  before  we  jn'oceed  to  another 
sentence,  let  us  bow  our  "  knees  unto  the  God  and 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  whom  the 
whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named,"  im- 
ploring the  illuminations  of  that  Divine  Spirit, 
in  whose  "light  we  see  light,"  and  by  whose 
gracious  influence  we  arc  ever  pi-ejjared  to  receive, 
as  well  as  qualified  to  discover,  the  truth.  Were 
a  form  needed,  we  have  one  sufficiently  appro- 
priate in  the  "Collect  for  Unity." 

"O  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
our  only  Saviour,  the  Prince  of  Peace,  give  us 
grace  seriously  to  lay  to  heart  the  great  dangers 
we  are  in  by  our  uniiappy  divisions.    Take  away 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


17 


all  hatred  aiid  prejudice,  and  Avliatsoever  else  may 
hinder  us  fi'om  godly  union  and  concord ;  that, 
as  there  is  but  one  Body,  and  one  Sjjirit,  and 
one  Hoj^e  of  our  calling,  one  Lord,  one  Faith, 
one  Baptism,  one  God  and  Father  of  us  all,  so 
we  may  henceforth  be  all  of  one  heart,  and  of 
one  soul,  united  in  one  holy  bond  of  truth  and 
peace,  of  faith  and  charity,  and  may  with  one 
mind  and  one  mouth  glorify  Thee,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen." 

I  take  it  for  granted  that  every  one,  Avho  -vvould 
make  good  his  title  to  the  name  of  Cueistlvx, 
will  agi'ee  with  me  that  the  interest  which  seems 
to  be  awakened  with  respect  to  the  gi'eat  question 
of  Christian  union,  is  a  very  encouraging  feature 
of  our  most  interesting  age.  Whatever  may  be 
thought  of  the  many  treatises  upon  the  subject 
with  which  our  heads  and  hearts  are  so  faithfully 
plied ;  or,  whatever  our  estimate  of  the  diversified 
theories  which  are  ])roposcd,  indicating  modes  by 
which  it  is  confidently  insisted  that  the  desirable 
end  can  be  attained,  we  must  all  feel  and  acknowl- 
edge that  the  very  idea  of  harmonious  concert 
among  Christians  of  every  name  is  creditable  to 
the  ])eriod  in  wliich  it  is  cordially  entertained ; 
and  that  the  e.vtcnt  to  which  this  idea,  so  full  of 
2* 


18 


CHBISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


promise  to  the  Church^  and  the  world,  is  coun- 
tenanced and  cherished  by  the  present  generation 
of  believers,  concui-s  "with  other  facts  to  distin- 
guish the  nineteenth  centm-y  from  a  long  scries 
of  its  predecessors.  I  concede  that  in  every 
period  since  the  first  schism  in  the  Church  of 
Christ,  there  have  been  good  men  of  various 
communions  who  have  deplored  the  evils  of 
division,  and  lifted  up  a  Aoice  of  strength  in 
earnest  rebuke  of  the  spirit  of  sectarianism,  and 
fervently  implored  the  gi-eat  Founder  to  re-melt, 
and  re-unite,  and  re-mould  the  alienated  frag- 
ments. But,  in  our  day,  this  interest  is  not  con- 
fined to  a  few ;  it  is  felt,  deei)ly  and  solemnly, 
b)-  the  gi-eat  majority  of  the  truly  spiritual,  the 
working  class  of  every  evangelical  denomination. 

The  causes  which  have  contributed  especially 
to  awaken  such  attention  to  this  important  sub- 
ject, may  doubtless  be  found  in  certain  great 
facts  which  happily  distinguish  our  times  from 
all  that  have  preceded  them  since  tlie  martyrdom 
of  the  Apostles;  —  such  as  the  enlarged  effusion 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  Avho  is  preeminently  the  "  Re- 
pairer of  the  breach,  the  Restorer  of  paths  to 
dwell  in;"  the  prevalence  of  religious  revivals, 

1  I  shall  often  use  tlie  teiin  Church  in  its  broad  acceptation, 
as  denoting  the  whole  body  of  professed  believers,  irrespective 
of  their  distinctive  names. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


19 


Avhich  are  alwaj^s,  so  fax*  as  they  are  gonnine, 
conducive  to  Christian  affection  and  concord ; 
the  eflforts  of  all  evangelical  denominations  to 
convert  the  heathen  to  Christ  —  a  service  in 
which  they  jjractically  ascertain  tlie  importance 
of  agi-eement  and  cooperation ;  and  the  increased 
acquaintance  of  different  sects  with  one  another, 
resulting  from  their  frequent  assemblage  and  fa- 
miliar intercourse  in  voluntary  associations,  where 
they  have  learned  to  hold  in  courteous  abeyance 
their  distinctive  peculiarities,  and,  taking  their 
high  position,  side  by  side,  on  the  broad  maxi- 
mum of  agreement,  to  be  fraternal  co-workers 
in  a  common  cnteiijrise.  The  jiractical  tenden- 
cies of  the  age  have  given  to  the  question  a 
practical  foi-m;  and,  while  thousands  have  con- 
cuiTcd  in  both  feeling  and  opinion  that  some- 
thing ought  to  be  done  to  restore  union,  —  that 
union  wliich  the  Saviour  commanded,  and  for 
which  lie  prayed,  —  the  general  inquiry  has  been, 
and  still  is,  what?  What  should  be  done?  What 
can  be  done?  The  object  is  good;  is  it  attaina- 
ble? Much  has  been  said  and  much  Amtten, — 
not  all,  perhaps,  the  wisest,  or  the  best  adapted 
to  accomplish  tlie  clierished  purpose,  —  yet,  all 
indicative  of  a  jiainful  conviction  that  somewhere 
there  is  flagrant  wrong,  and  that  it  is  liigh  time 
the  wrong  should  be  sought  out,  and,  like  the 


20 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERnOOD. 


dross  that  liinders  fused  metal  from  welding,  be 
put  fore^•cr  away. 

It  is  no  part  of  my  design  to  examine  tlie  theo- 
ries which  have  been  advanced  npon  this  subject, 
or  to  propose  any  specific  plan  of  my  own  for 
the  reunion  of  the  dismembered  body  of  Christ. 
My  object  is  rather  to  explain  what  I  suppose  to 
be  the  union  at  which  all  Christians  should  aim ; 
to  point  out  some  of  the  evil  effects  of  disunion ; 
to  suggest  reasons  Avhy  we  should  do  all  we  can, 
consistently  with  faithful  allegiance  to  Christ,  to 
promote  the  union  of  all  his  discij^lcs ;  and  to 
indicate  methods  by  which  we  may  aid  in  the 
production  of  so  important  a  result.  I  shall  not 
intei-meddlc  Avith  the  cherished  pi-inciples  or  the 
polity  of  any  denomination  of  Christians,  but 
shall  endeavor  to  confine  myself  to  matters  which 
are  extraneous  to  whatever  any  sect  may  regard 
as  fundamental  to  its  own  ecclesiastical  organi- 
zation. My  present  concern  is  more  M'ith  the 
spirit  of  sect,  than  with  its  constitution,  or  creed, 
or  discipline. 

And  may  the  Holy  Spirit,  "from  whom  all  holy 
desires,  all  good  counsels,  and  all  just  works  do 
proceed,"  so  insi>irc  and  direct  as  that  there  shall 
be  no  A'iolation  of  that  great  melting,  combining 
principle,  tlic  cliarity  whicli  "rejoiceth  in  the 
truth,"  and  is  "llie  bond  of  perfectncss." 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


21 


I. 

THE  UNION  THAT  IS  DESIKABLE. 


The  Saviour  required  his  disciples  to  be  united, 
and  for  their  oneness  he  prayed.  Can  there  be 
any  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  the  extent  of  his 
meaning,  when  he  said,  "One  is  your  Master, 
even  Christ,  and  all  ye  are  brethren?"  Or, 
when  lie  said,  "Other  sheep  I  have  which  are 
not  of  tliis  fold;  them  also  I  must  bring,  and 
they  shall  hear  my  voice ;  and  there  shall  be 
ONE  FOLD,  and  one  shepherd?"  Or,  Avhen  he 
said,  "A  new  commandment  I  give  unto  you, 
that  ye  love  one  another,"  and  enforced  the  re- 
quirement by  proposing  his  own  example  as  the 
model  for  our  imitation,  —  "As  I  have  loved  you, 
that  ye  also  love  one  another?"  Or,  wlien  he 
prayed  witli  toucliing  earnestness,  "  Tliat  they 
may  be  one,  even  as  we  are ;  I  in  thee,  and  thou 
in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect  ix  one  : 
neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also 
who  shall  believe  on  me  througli  their  word; 
that  tliey  all  may  be  one,  as  thou.  Father,  art 
in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  tliey  also  may  be  one 
IN  us?"    The  idea  of  union  which  dwelt  in  his 


22 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


mind,  vliile  uttering  such  language,  is  unques- 
tionably the  idea  which  oiiglit  to  exist,  unmod- 
ified, in  our  minds,  and  in  accordance  with  which 
we  should  faithfully  shape  our  whole  si^irit  and 
conduct.  The  Saviour  foresaw  and  apj^reciated 
the  mischiefs  that  would  result  from  the  divisions 
and  alienations  and  strifes  of  his  professed  fol- 
lowers ;  and  he  as  jjerfeetly  understood  the  bene- 
fits which  would  accrue,  both  to  themselves  and  to 
a  perishing  world,  provided  they  would  affection- 
ately cooperate  in  their  Master's  service.  Hence 
the  frequency  and  the  earnestness  with  which 
he  referred  to  this  point,  and  the  diversified 
methods  which  he  adopted  to  impress  upon  his 
people  the  importance  of  remaining  undivided. 

The  kind  of  union  that  is  to  be  desired  and 
sought,  may  be  seen  in  the  primitive  Churches, 
not,  indeed,  in  absolute  perfection,  but  in  the 
best  form  that  has  ever  been  exhibited.  After  the 
number  of  disciples  liad  greatly  increased,  so  as 
to  be  counted  by  thousands,  it  is  testified  of 
them,  and  much  to  their  credit,  as  well  as  to  the 
honor  of  Christianity,  that  "  The  whole  multitude 
of  them  that  believed  were  of  one  heart,  and 
ONE  soul."  No  one  doubts  that  they  kept  "  the 
unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace;"  that 
they  had  "one  Lord,  one  Faith,  one  Baptism;" 
that  they  were  to  a  degree  never  since  surpassed. 


CHRISTIAN  BBOTHERHOOD. 


23 


united,  and  that  tliey  realized  in  large  measure 
tlie  blessedness  of  those  tvIio  feel  and  act  as  "  O^fE 
in  Christ  Jesus,"  for  "they  were  all  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  sj^ake  the  word  of  God  with 
great  boldness,"  and  "  great  grace  was  upon  them 
all,"  and  "the  Lord  added  to  the  church  daily 
the  saved." ^  Assuredly,  the  Church  was  then  one, 
presenting  to  the  world  the  image  of  a  happy, 
united  family;  all  the  children  of  one  Father; 
all  the  disciples  of  one  Teacher ;  "  all  by  one 
Spirit  bajjtized  into  one  body;"  all  "partakers 
of  one  bread ; "  all  actuated  by  one  desire,  and 
moving  in  one  line  toward  one  grand  result.  Ac- 
cording to  the  prediction,  tliey  had  "one  heart 
and  one  way;"  they  "sei-ved  the  Lord  with  one 
consent;"  they  Avere  often  "with  one  accord  in 
one  place;"  they  liad  access  through  "one  Medi- 
ator," by  "  one  Spirit,"  to  "  one  God  and  Father 
of  all;"  they  were  joint-heirs  to  one  inheritance; 

"  Tlicir  fears,  their  hopes,  their  aims  were  one, 
Their  eomforts  and  their  cares." 

When  shall  the  Redeemer  again  behold  upon  the 
earth  a  scene  so  resplendent  with  moral  beauty? 
When  shall  a  selfish  world  again  yield  before  th(; 
moral  energy  of  such  Christians  ? 

This  delightful  union  was  maintained  for  a  con- 


Tour  aw^onfyovs. 


24 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


siderable  period  without  essential  change.  Ques- 
tions of  expediency  and  jJolicy  occasionally  arose 
that  threatened  to  interrupt  the  harmony  of  feel- 
ing; but  how  soon  and  how  happily  were  aU 
discordant  views  adjusted  the  moment  they  were 
submitted  to  the  intelligent  and  peace-loving, 
peace-making,  Apostles!  Converts  from  all  na- 
tions were  introduced  in  large  numbers ;  and  yet, 
notwithstanding  the  wide  diversities  in  their  intel- 
lectual character,  theii'  early  training,  their  sys- 
tems of  i)hilosoi)hy,  their  modes  of  worshi]),  they 
were  so  efFectually  assimilated  by  the  renewing 
Spirit,  that  they  blended  most  harmoniously  into 
one  body,  and  were  no  longer  Jew  or  Samaritan, 
Greek  or  Barbarian,  Platouist  or  Epicurean,  Phar- 
isee or  Sadducee,  Cii'cumcised  or  Uncircumcised, 
but  were  all  "  one  in  Christ,"  and  their  one  name 
was  Christian.  Naturally  enough,  the  converts 
were  particularly  attached  to  the  ministers  by 
whom  they  believed,  and  in  a  few  instances,  as 
at  Corinth,  this  ^Jorsonal  preference  for  "  my  min- 
ister" assumed  an  objectionable  form,  and  caUed 
for  pointed  reprehension ;  but  many  years  passed 
before  this  or  any  other  evil  eftectuated  tliose 
radical  divisions  Avhich  have  since  occasioned  so 
injurious  a  disruption  of  the  ligaments  of  Chris- 
tian fellowship.  With  the  exception  of  some 
minor  dissensions  that  were  only  temporary  and 


CHKISTIAX  BROTHERHOOD. 


25 


easily  healed,  and  an  occasional  orttbreak  of  party 
spirit  or  selfish  rivahy  that  a  single  reproof  would 
quell,  —  all  indicative  that  the  Church  in  her 
holiest  period  was  imjjerfect,  —  the  Chiistianity 
of  the  first  century  was  distinguished  by  a  degree 
of  union  among  her  disciples  that  no  subsequent 
age  has  witnessed.  No  divisions  aifected  their 
real  unity,  or  prevented  their  afiectionate  coopera- 
tion in  the  great  enterprise  which  their  Master 
had  charged  them  to  execute.  Hence,  the  intel- 
ligent Waddington,  when  speaking  of  the  early 
Christians,  justly  says  that  "their  variations  were 
without  schism,  and  their  difierences  without 
acrimony." 

Fi'om  the  recorded  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  as 
well  as  from  their  Epistles,  we  leani  how  pacific 
was  their  spirit,  and  how  studiously  they  sought' 
to  preserve  inviolate  the  unity  and  the  fellow- 
ship of  all  the  followers  of  Christ.  Let  any  per- 
son read  these  portions  of  the  inspired  volume, 
with  candid  and  careful  reference  to  tlie  point 
now  under  consideration,  and  he  will  be  not  only 
surprised  at  the  amount  of  attention  which  the 
Apostles  bestowed  upon  it,  but  deeply  inii)rossed 
with  the  imi^oitance  whicli  they  manifestly  at- 
tached to  it.  To  such  a  reader  it  will  be  clearly 
obvious  that  the  idea  of  Christian  union,  of  which 
I  have  spoken  as  dwelling  in  the  mind  of  their 
3. 


26 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


iucavnate  Lord,  liad  been,  by  some  process,  trans- 
ferred entire  to  their  minds,  and  that  they  were 
earnestly  desirous  to  transfer  it,  unmodified,  to  the 
minds  of  all  believers,  Jew  and  Gentile.  Every- 
where do  we  find  them  teaching  that  Christians, 
iiTesjiective  of  national,  civil,  social  distinctions, 
are  incorporated  into  one  society,  and  that  Christ 
is  the  basis  and  the  bond  of  this  association  ;  "  for 
he  is  our  peace,"  said  they,  "  who  hath  made  both 
one,  and  hath  broken  doM'n  the  middle  wall  of 
partition  between  us  ...  .  to  make  in  himself  of 
twain  one  new  man,  so  making  j^eace."  Well 
has  it  been  said  that  "this  twofold  doctrine  is 
a  subject  which  imj^arts  an  entire  cliaracter  to 
some  of  the  epistles,  and  which  furnishes  a  clew 
to  much  in  nearly  all."  Any  reader,  by  taking 
this  clew,  may  ascertain  for  himself  the  character 
of  the  apostolic  spirit  and  the  bearings  of  apostolic 
influence;  and,  if  he  has  any  acquaintance  with 
the  ])()\ver  of  religious  teachers,  by  one  course 
to  promote  Christian  harmony,  or  by  an  ojiposite 
course  to  foment  unchristian  discord,  he  will  not 
wonder,  after  a  careful  study  of  tlic  writings, 
the  labors,  and  the  spirit  of  the  Apostles,  that 
during  their  lives  the  Cliurch  was  essentially  one 
harmonious  and  devoted  brotherhood.  And  if 
he  is  one  Avlio  truly  grieves  over  the  separations, 
and  contentions,  and  dishonors  of  God's  jieople. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


27 


he  will  mournfully  exclaim,  "O  that  none  but 
men  of  such  i)rinciples  and  such  temi^crs  had 
ever  been  found  amona"  their  guides  and  teach- 
ers ! "  Alas !  how  soon  ^yas  the  true  ai)ostolic 
succession  interrupted,  and  men  of  selfish  motives 
and  belligerent  dispositions  allowed  to  disjoint 
and  scatter,  in  mangled  fragments,  the  body  which 
Paul  and  Peter,  John  and  James,  left  comj^actly 
and  beautifully  one!  The  Lord  in  mercy  give 
to  his  Churches  once  more  a  ministry  whose  in- 
fluence sliall  be  soothing,  healing,  nourishing! 

The  desirable  union  among  the  friends  of  Christ 
is  precisely  that  which  Ave  find  so  clearly  sketched 
and  made  illustriously  prominent  in  the  New 
Testament.  It  is  that  which  the  Saviour  so  ten- 
derly and  impressively  enjoined  upon  his  follow- 
ers, and  for  the  completeness  and  universality 
and  perpetuity  of  which  he,  on  his  way  to  the 
Garden  of  Soitows,  and  in  anticipation  of  the 
cross,  so  fervently  prayed.  It  is  that  which  is 
so  delightfully  represented  as  having  existed  in 
"the  mullitude  of  them  that  believed"  at  Jerusa- 
lem,—  tlint  nucleus  of  the  Church  imiversal,  —  the 
very  model  in  faith,  and  love,  and  obedience,  to 
which  all  ecclesiastical  organizations  should  have 
been  faithfully  conformed.  It  is  that  wliich  the 
Apostles  and  tlieir  coiidjntors  in  the  sacred  minis- 
try sought  most  studiously  to  maintnjn  aroun<l 


28 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD, 


the'  cross  as  the  central  attraction  and  the  bond 
of  fellowshij),  and  which  they  •were  successful,  to 
a  wonderful  extent,  in  preserving  unbroken  till 
the  last  of  them  went  up  to  receive  his  reward. 
Let  all  Christians  be  like  their  j^rimitive  brethren, 
believing  what  they  believed,  loving  as  they  loved, 
obeying  as  they  obej'cd,  and  the  union  of  the  first 
century  will  be  the  union  of  the  nineteenth  centurj'. 

Ton,  my  brother,  will  regard  me  as  sufiiciently 
specific  and  definite.  By  descending  to  i^articu- 
lars,  I  should  be  liable  to  an  assumj^tion  of  the 
prerogatives  of  an  interpreter,  and  thus  meddle 
with  a  department  that  is  foreign  to  my  plan, 
and  subversive  of  my  main  design.  And  yet,  I 
hesitate  not  to  say  that,  while  I  thus  sj^eak  in 
general  terms  of  the  union  which  the  New  Tes- 
tament recommends  and  illustrates  by  examjiles, 
as  the  kind  of  union  that  is  desirable,  I  have  no 
difficulty  in  determining  for  myself  what  the  New 
Testament  teaches  ui)on  this  subject.  Is  it  in 
any  sense  doubtful  what  the  Saviour  required 
his  disciples  to  be  aiul  to  do,  that  they  might 
be  united  to  him  and  to  one  another?  Does 
any  obscurity  rest  ujion  the  inspired  record  of 
the  belief,  the  spirit,  or  the  practice,  of  the  prim- 
itive Churches?  Are  the  Apostles  at  all  equiv- 
ocal in  their  teachings  with  respect  to  the  kind 
of  agreement  and  assimilation  tliat  is  essential 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD 


29 


to  real,  permanent  union?  Is  there  any  reason 
to  sujjpose,  that  among  the  Christians  of  the  first 
century,  there  were  various  sects,  and  tliat  their 
union  consisted  in  atFectionate  association  irre- 
spective of  diversity  of  sentiment  and  practice? 
Does  any  one  believe  that  the  early  Chui'ches  had 
different  and  clashing  creeds,  or  that  they  admin- 
istered the  ordinances  in  various  and  dissimilar 
forms? 

The  waters  that  encompass  the  globe  are  known 
by  different  names,  as  the  Atlantic,  the  Pacific, 
the  Baltic,  the  Mediterranean ;  but  these  names 
denote  only  territorial  distinctions,  never  sug- 
gesting the  idea  of  difference  of  quality.  They 
commingle  and  coalesce  without  any  indications 
of  either  chemical  or  mechanical  disfellowship.* 
So  also  in  the  age  of  the  Apostles  there  were 
territorial  divisions  among  Christians,  for  there 
were  the  "Churches  in  Judea,"  the  "Cliurches 
in  Asia,"  the  "Churches  in  Macedonia,"  and  in 
many  other  countries  and  provinces;  but  these 
names  never  denoted  any  diversity  in  creed,  spii'it, 
or  foriii.  Christians  of  every  country,  every  ccjlor, 
every  condition,  were  spiritually,  doctrinally,  prac- 
tically one.    Such  is  the  oneness  now  desirable ; 

'  "  CiiTumquaquc  porro  infati^ati  fci  tiir  (liirtus  orcani;  units 
(liiiilcm,  scd  iimltis  cojjnoniinihus  iustnictus."  —  Dion. 

3* 


30 


CHRISTIAN  BBOTHERnOOD. 


and  happy  will  be  that  day  when  we  can  sjioak 
of  the  Churches  in  England,  Br.nnah,  Denmark, 
Jamaica,  Virginia,  Illinois,  Rhode  Island,  Nova 
Scotia,  and,  knowing  no  other  distinction  than 
the  geographical,  can  recognize  all  these  compa- 
nies of  believers  as  one;  so  that  when  tlieir  mem- 
bers i^ass  from  one  country  or  one  State  to 
another,  they  may  everywhere  be  welcomed,  not 
as  belonging  to  a  i)articular  denomination,  but 
as  belonging  to  Christ,  and  following  in  "the 
footstejjS  of  the  flock."  ^  Party  names  must  be 
dropped,  party  lines  must  be  obliterated,  jiarty 
sjjirit  must  be  jjut  away,  i^arty  measures  must 
be  discontinued ;  and  all  Christians  must  have 
"one  heart  and  one  way;"  then  will  there  be 
the  desirable  union,  —  that  which  the  Sou  of 
God  requires  of  his  people  as  essential  to  the 
full  develoi)ment  of  their  character,  and  to  their 
largest  usefulness  as  his  representatives  and  wit- 
nesses. 

1  "Tlic  union  of  Christians  on  ciirtli  is  perfectly  consistent 
with  many  cliurclics,  each  complete  in  itself.  There  is  no 
visible  centre  of  unity  on  earth  to  the  Christian  Clinrch,  as 
there  was  to  the  Jewish.  In  the  Jewisli  Churcli,  one  candle- 
stick with  its  seven  brandies  typified  the  Clmrch  of  God  in 
complete  unity,  as  confined  to  one  nation,  witli  one  central 
place  of  union  at  Jerusalem;  but  in  the  Gentile  churches  the  em- 
blem is  different.  Tliere  nro  seven  golden  candlesticks,  and  in 
the  midst  of  them  one  like  unto  the  Son  of  man."  —  BickerstUh. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD 


?1 


II. 

COXSIDERATIOXS  THAT  RENDER  CHEISTIAX  UNION 
DESIRABLE. 

These,  my  dear  brother,  cannot  be  adequately 
represented  Aviihout  a  more  particular  and  ex- 
tended reference,  than  I  could  wish  were  neces- 
sarj-,  to  tlie  deplorable  mischiefs  of  division.  It 
would  be  far  more  agreeable  to  confine  my  obser- 
vation, and  solicit  your  attention,  to  the  more 
illuminated  and  cheering  side  of  the  jMcture,  —  to 
that  delightful  state  of  things  which  we  antici- 
pate, not  in  our  day,  but  somewhere  in  the  bright- 
ening future,  when  shall  return  the  palmy  scenes 
of  primitive  unanimity,  i:)rimitive  affection,  and 
primitive  concert;  when  "f]phraim  shall  not  envy 
Judali,  and  Judah  shall  not  vex  Ephi-aim ; "  when 
party  names  shall  all  be  merged  and  disappear 
in  the  one  sufficient  designation,  Cuiustian  ; 
when  "  there  shall  be  one  fold,"  as  well  as  "  one 
Shepherd ; "  when  the  whole  sacramental  host  of 
God  shall  rally  around  one  standard,  the  blood- 
red  Cross,  all  prompt  to  obey  the  orders  of  one 
Leader,  all  submissively  and  peacefully  "follow- 
ing the  Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth."  IIow 


32 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


iDsjnriug,  how  soul-elevating  the  anticipation ! 
Lovely  as  was  the  lanclscai^e  to  the  natural  eye 
when  the  "clew  descended  upon  tlie  mountains 
of  Ziou,"  imparting  fi-eshness  to  vegetation,  far 
lovelier  to  the  moral  vision  will  be  that  scene 
of  moral  beauty  where  "brethkek  dwell  to- 
gether IN  XTXiTY,"  and  in  view  ot  which  all 
holy  beings  will  exclaim,  "  Behold,  how  good  and 
how  pleasant!"  That  is  a  scene  which,  Avith 
pencil  dipped  in  the  "rainbow  round  about  the 
thi'one,"  I  would  fain  describe.  But,  alas!  it  is 
one  which  has  never  greeted  my  eye,  nor  has  it 
greeted  yours.  Our  predecessors  through  long 
ages,  and  many  of  our  cotemporaries,  have  de- 
sired to  sec  it, 

"  But  (lied  without  the  sight." 
« 

It  is  a  state  of  things  which  we  contemplate 
only  by  the  visual  power  of  faith.  Inspired  his- 
tory has  sketched  it  on  the  Past,  when  the  Church 
was  youilg,  elastic,  and  fi)ir,  with  a  single  Head 
to  control  her  movements,  and  a  single  Heart  to 
send  the  common  clement  of  life  to  licr  extremi- 
ties. Imagination  gives  vividness  to  the  picture; 
we  admire  it  as  the  ideal  of  moral  loveliness ;  and 
yet  we  admire  with  a  sigh  that  it  finds  no  actual 
counterpart  in  the  Present.  Inspired  prophecy 
lias  painted  it  on  the  Future,  and  shown  us  the 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


33 


Church  in  the  vigor  of  meritlian  life,  one  and  in- 
divisible, Tvell-proportioned  and  athletic,  radiant 
with  glory,  —  "fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the  sun, 
and  terrible  as  an  ai-my  with  banners."  And  here, 
as  we  gaze,  our  hearts  are  fired  with  rajiture,  and 
naught  interposes  to  diminish  the  "joy  of  hope," 
but  the  saddening  reflection  that  the  scene  we 
are  viewing  still  lies  in  the  dim  per-spective,  and 
that  earth  may  roll  off  many  more  of  its  proba- 
tionary years  before  it  will  be  hailed  as  a  present 
reality,  and  we  cry,  "  O  Lord,  how  long  ?  " 

But  while  the  blessed  effects  of  genuine  Chris- 
tian Brotherhood  belong  to  a  dejiartment  of  obser- 
vation where  we  walk  by  faith,  the  evils  of  schism 
are  present  and  come  within  the  realizations  of 
sight.  And  so  long  as  these  evils  exist,  —  and 
exist  they  will  till  schism  is  no  more,  —  avc  gain 
nothing  valuable  by  refusing  to  consider  them, 
or  to  oi)en  our  minds  to  a  full  conviction  of  their 
pemiciousness.  I  may  probal)y  be  told  that  some 
good  has  accrued  to  the  Church  and  to  the  world, 
from  the  distribution  of  Christians  into  separate 
and  rival  sects,  and  that  in  strict  justice  I  ought 
to  mention  the  benefits  as  well  as  the  injuries  of 
division.  Benefits  of  Christian  disunion .'  And 
is  the  brother  who  makes  this  intimation,  really 
in  earnest?    Were  I  treating  of  the  Divine  dis- 


34 


CHEISTIA-X  BROTHERHOOD. 


pensations  towards  the  grievoiisly  imperfect,  I 
miglit  show  how  God  has  manifested  "  the  riches 
of  his  goodness,  and  forbearance,  and  long-suffer- 
ing," by  patiently  endm-ing  "  their  manners  in  the 
wilderness,"  and  proved  himself  wise  and  able  to 
educe  some  good  from  so  great  a  mass  of  heaven- 
hated  enormity.  But,  surely,  it  will  not  be  pre- 
tended that  the  benefits  referred  to  counterbalance 
one  in  a  thousand  of  the  known  and  felt  evils; 
or  that  they  are  really  more  than  incidental  effects 
secured  by  the  wisdom  and  jiower  of  an  over- 
ruling Providence;  or  that  they  constitute,  all 
together,  any  valid  reason  why  schism  should  be 
continued  another  day.  I  may,  then,  without 
the  imiiutation  of  injustice  or  one-sidcdness,  pass 
them  over,  as  not  properly  belonging  to  my  sub- 
ject; at  the  same  time  rendering  gratitude  to 
God  that  he  has  applied  his  infinite  faculties  to 
the  eduction  of  good  from  a  source  so  fearfully 
charged  with  jiernicious  elements ;  that  he  has 
so  counteracted  the  tendencies  to  decomposition 
as  to  preserve  life  in  the  divided  membership; 
and  that  he  has,  in  any  degree,  caused  a  system 
of  wrong  that,  like  all  sin,  is  infernal  in  its  origin, 
and  destructive  in  its  bearings,  to  glorify  his 
holy  Name. 

As  it  is  neither  important  to  my  object,  nor 
consistent  with  the  brevity  which  I  wish  to  study, 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEEHOOD. 


35 


tliat  I  should  attemjjt  a  minute  and  extended 
descrijjtion  of  all  the  evils  of  disunion  among 
Christians,  I  shall  limit  my  specifications  to  a  few 
of  the  more  prominent;  and  these  I  mention  for 
the  sole  purpose  of  exhibiting  more  fairly  and 
forcibly  the  reasons  why  we  should  seek  a  restora- 
tion of  that  harmony  which  we  all  concur  in 
regarding  as  desirable.  » 

1.  THE  UfJUEIOFS  EFFECT  OF  DlVISIOIf  UPON  THE 
PIETY  OF  THE  CHUKCU. 

The  Church  consists  of  individuals,  every  one 
of  whom  is  a  distinct  being,  possessing  capabili- 
ties all  his  own,  and  directly  responsible  for  his 
character  and  conduct  to  his  final  Judare.  The 
piety  of  the  Church,  therefore,  is  neither  more 
nor  less  than  the  sum  of  the  piety  of  all  her 
menlbers;  just  as  her  numerical  strength  is  the 
sum  of  all  the  persons  included  in  her  member- 
ship. And  there  is  no  way  of  improving  or  dete- 
riorating her  piety  but  by  imj)roving  or  dete- 
riorating the  piety  of  her  individual  constituents. 
Whatever,  therefore,  has  an  unfavorable  effect 
upon  the  personal  holiness  of  her  members,  is 
detrimental  to  the  holiness  of  tlie  body. 

The  Gospel  recognizes  us  all  as  moral  beings 
in  the  process  of  training  for  a  liigher  position. 


36 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEEHOOD. 


and  requires  that,  by  availing  ourselves  of  tlie 
abundant  provisions  of  the  new  covenant,  we 
should  individually  aim  at  the  formation  of  per- 
fect religious  character.  We  arc  not  authorized 
to  be  satisfied  with  anything  less  than  complete 
conformity  to  all  the  laws  tmder  which  God  our 
Moral  Governor  has  placed  us.  To  the  produc- 
tion of  such  a  result,  all  the  agencies  and  instru- 
mentalities of  the  system  of  Grace  are  wisely 
adapted ;  and  it  is  not  only  recommended  as  a 
privilege,  but  commanded  as  a  duty,  and  encour- 
aged by  j^i'omises,  that,  in  the  use  of  aj^jjointed 
means,  we  should  "grow  in  grace,"  and  "go  on 
unto  perfection."  "Be  ye  holy,"  is  the  unrepeal- 
able  requirement.  Christ,'  the  atoning  Saviour, 
"gave  himself  for  us,  that  ho  might  redeem  us 
from  all  iniquity,"  freely  pouring  out  his  blood 
which  "  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin."  The  truths 
which  he  communicated,  and  the  duties  which  he 
enjoined,  and  the  discipline  which  he  appointed, 
and  the  hopes  which  he  encouraged,  all  have 
reference  to  this  end,  the  complete  sanctification 
of  his  people.  When  he  "  ascended  up  far  above 
all  heavens,"  he  "gave  gifts  unto  men,"  such  as 
apostles,  evangelists,  prophets,  pastors,  and  teach- 
ers, all  "for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the 
body  of  Christ,  till  we  all  come  in  the  unity  of 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


37 


the  si)irit,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of 
God,  unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of  the 
stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ."  The  Apostle 
Paul  assures  us  that  the  object  he  had  in  view, 
while  "warning  every  man,  and  teaching  every 
man,  in  all  wisdom,"  was  that  he  "might  pre- 
sent eveiy  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus."  "This 
also  we  Avish,"  he  says,  "  even  your  perfection ; " 
and  his  prayer  for  his  brethren  was,  that  the  God 
of  Peace  —  not  the  God  of  dissension,  but  "the 
very  God  of  Peace" — would  "sanctify  you  wholly, 
and  preserve  your  whole  body,  and  soul,  and 
spirit,  blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ." 

Whatever  may  be  the  opinions  of  Christians 
as  to  the  practicability  of  certain  attainments  in 
the  jn-esent  life,  I  sujipose  it  is  the  desire  of  every 
one  to  be  "cleansed  from  all  unrighteousness," 
and  the  prayer  of  every  one  that  God  would 
"create"  in  him  "a  clean  lieart,"  and  t)ie  habit 
of  every  one  to  "  jircss  toward  the  mark  for  the 
prize,"  "pferfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God." 
And  I  presume  that  every  Christian,  in  his  pur- 
suit of  that  "holiness,  without  which  no  man  .shall 
see  the  Lord,"  has  found  his  soul  entangled  by 
influences  that  interfere  with  his  progress,  —  influ- 
ences from  which  he  is  obliijed  to  discnerajre  him- 
self  before  he  can  successfully  proceed.  Incum- 
4  ■ 


38 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


bered  with  weights-,  how  could  the  racer  outstrip 
his  competitors  ?  Ensnared  by  besetting  sins,  or 
by  anything  tliat  compresses  or  restrains  the  free- 
born  spirit,  how  can  the  Christian  bound  onward 
as  he  should  in  the  highway  of  the  redeemed, 
the  "  way  of  holiness  "  that  is  cast  up  for  the  con- 
venience of  the  Lord's  ransomed? 

Have  you,  my  brother,  never  perceived  the 
injm-ious  tendency,  in  this  respect,  of  the  secta- 
rian divisions  among  the  professed  followers  of 
Christ?  Is  not  the  spirit  of  sect  enthralling  in 
its  influence — jjre venting,  like  a  tether,  the  ascent 
of  the  soul  into  that  fulness  of  freedom  for  which 
it  longs  and  siglis?  And  just  in  proportion  as  a 
soul  has  been  emancipated  from  that  spirit,  allow- 
ing its  affections  to  sjjread  out  over  the  whole 
multitude  of  the  redeemed,  has  it  not  felt  itself 
unbound,  and  facilitated  in  its  soarings  into  a 
region  where  its  atmosphere  is  purer,  and  its 
horizon  wider? 

It  was  the  prayer  of  an  ancient  Christian,  em- 
inent for  his  struggles  after  j^ersonal  holiness : 

" Coarctationes  cordis  mci  dilata; 
Et  cx  angustiis  meis  cduc  me." 

He  perceived,  he  felt  the  evils  of  a  contracted 
heart,  and  desired  its  dilatation.    Confined  within 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


39 


narrow  limits,  he  could  neither  breathe  freely, 
nor  work  effectively,  and  he  prayed  to  be  led  out 
into  a  larger  place.  Said  another,  whose  piety 
was  of  still  higher  order :  "  I  will  run  in  the  way 
of  thy  commandments,  when  thou  shalt  enlarge 
my  heart."  And  the  Apostle  Paul  exhorted  the 
members  of  a  certain  Church  whom  he  desired 
to  be  eminently  holy:  "Be  ye  also  enlarged." 

The  injiu-ious  bearing  of  this  great  evil,  in  one 
direction  at  least,  is  very  justly  described  by  a 
powerful  writer  of  our  own  country.  "Upon  the 
religious  intellect^''  says  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Mason, 
"sectarian  feelings  and  fellowship  produce  an 
effect  analogous  to  that  of  the  division  of  labor 
upon  mechanical  ingenuity.  By  concentrating  its 
operations  in  a  few  points,  or  pei-haps  in  a  single 
one,  they  render  it  peculiarly  acute  and  discrim- 
inating within  those  limits,  at  the  expense  of 
enfeebling  or  destroying  its  general  power.  Con- 
versations are  cherished,  books  are  read,  time 
expended,  faculties  employed,  not  for  the  pur- 
pose of  acquiring  larger  views  of  the  Redeemer's 
truth,  grace,  kingdom  and  glory ;  but  for  the  pur- 
pose of  training  more  accurate  disputants  upon 
the  heads  of  sectarian  collision.  Here  men  dis- 
tinguish themselves ;  here  they  shine ;  liere  they 
gratify  their  vanity,  which  they  often  mistake  for 
conscience." 


40 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


Perhaps  I  cannot  do  better  than  to  quote  the 
same  ■writer's  remarks  touching  the  influence  of 
this  spirit  upon  the  practical  judgment.  "  This," 
he  says,  "is  clearly  seen  in  the  estimate  which 
animated  sectarians  form  of  character.  The  good 
qualities  of  their  own  adherent  they  readily  per- 
ceive, admire,  and  extol ;  his  failings  they  endure 
with  patience  ;  and  his  faults,  which  they  dare  not 
justify,  they  can  overlook  and  extenuate.  But, 
should  he  quit  their  connection,  the  first  are  dis- 
paraged, the  second  are  no  longer  tolerable,  and 
the  third  swell  into  crimes.  On  the  other  hand, 
virtues  and  graces  in  a  different  party,  they  are 
apt  to  admit  with  rolnctance,  and  rarely  without 
qualification.  But,  lo!  all  is  altered!  ....  Our 
breasts  fill  with  the  milk  of  human  kindness ;  and 
we  welcome  to  our  hearts  the  very  man  whom, 
a  week  before,  we  eyed  askance,  and  should  have 
thought  to  have  been  a  spot  in  our  feast  of  charity. 
Nay,  we  are  often  summarily  convinced  that  a 
person  of  dubious  character  has  been  injured  and 
persecuted.  Our  inquiries  are  conducted  with  the 
nicest  delicacy.  So  gentle  our  temjier!  so  chari- 
table our  construction!  so  large  an  allowance  for 
infirmity !  so  deep  our  s}Tnpathy !  Whence  the 
miracle?  Has  a  seraph,  with  fire  from  the  altar 
of  God,  touched  these  men  of  miclcan  lijis,  and 
taken  away  the  stains  which  alai-med  ourjiurity? 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


41 


Oh  no !  They  are  precisely  "what  they  were. 
Wherefore,  then,  this  change  in  eyesight,  in  feel- 
ings, in  behaviour  ?  Simple  inquirer,  thon  knowest 
nothing  of  jjarty  magic !  They  have  come,  or  are 
coming,  or  are  cxijected  to  come,  over  to  us." 

If  such  are  vicious  tendencies  of  the  spirit  of 
sect,  —  and  "who  "will  venture  the  avei*ment  that 
they  are  not  ?  —  then  it  is  not  diificult  to  see  ho"w 
the  heart  may  be  injuriously  affected,  and  the 
quality  of  one's  religion  seriously  impaired.  If 
the  religious  intellect  is  thus  dwarfed  and  shriv- 
elled down  to  the  diminutiveness  of  an  inferior 
particular  "which  it  habitually  contemplates  and 
elaborates;  and  if  tlie  practical  judgment  is  thus 
perverted  and  seduced  into  Avrong  estimates  of 
the  good  and  evil  of  moral  character,  just  accord- 
ing as  that  character  is  identified  with  our  j^arty, 
or  their  party ;  surely  the  moral  feelings  will  not 
remain  uncontracted,  unpervcrted,  unseduccd,  but 
will  inevitably  suffer  a  deplorable  deterioration. 
It  is  an  office  of  religion  to  enlarge  and  ennoble 
the  little  mind,  by  making  it  familiar  with  great 
subjects,  filling  it  with  great  ideas,  prompting  it 
to  the  accomplisliment  of  great  ends,  opening 
upon  its  observation  great  scenes,  giving  it  a 
great  field  for  the  free  j)lay  of  its  faculties  and 
affections,  proposing  a  great  Model  for  imitation, 
holding  out  a  great  prize  as  the  reward  of  great 
4*  • 


42 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


endeavors.  The  sectarian  sjjirit  reduces  the  great 
mind  —  it  would  the  mind  of  an  angel  —  to  nar- 
row dimensions,  by  restricting  its  contemijlations, 
its  solicitudes,  its  aims,  its  efforts  to  insignificant 
matters,  often  microscopic  points,  unbefitting  the 
dignity  of  its  nature  and  the  glory  of  its  destiny. 

Another  damaging  effect  of  the  divisions  among 
Christians  is,  that,  whatever  the  sect  in  which  we 
choose  our  home,  we  are  likely  to  find  the  field  of 
our  affections  circumscribed.  Few  will  acknowl- 
edge the  truth  of  this  statement  until  they  shall 
have  examined  facts  and  analyzed  their  own  feel- 
ings. Accustomed  to  compression,  we  may  be 
unaware  of  the  stringencies  of  our  condition, 
and  think  ourselves  fi'ee  when  we  are  unduly  re- 
strained. Those  who  are  without  the  limits  of 
our  jjarticular  denomination,  provided  we  think 
on  the  whole  that  they  are  Christians,  we  may 
regard  with  some  favor,  and  we  may  say  some 
kind  words  respecting  them,  and  sigh  out  some 
occasional  regrets  that  such  good  j'^-'ojile  should 
not  be  altogether  such  as  we  are.  Tlic  feeling 
Avhich  wo  cherisli  towards  them  wo  denominate 
by  the  sacred  name  of  Charity,  —  a  term  which 
has  been  robbed  of  its  true  import,  just  in  pro- 
portion as  the  godlike  quality  whicli  it  denotes 
has  been  transmuted  into  somethuig  si)urious.  In 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


43 


the  days  and  in  the  writings  of  the  Apostles  it 
represented  the  crowning  excellence,  the  upper- 
most stratum  of  the  jiyramid  of  graces,  of  which 
faith  was  the  lowest,  resting  on  "  the  Rock  of  sal- 
vation." Charity  was  then  Love,  and  nothing 
else ;  and,  apart  from  it,  as  the  finish  and  adorn- 
ment, religious  character  was  a  deformity.  But 
in  our  times,  the  word  has  become  the  name  of 
a  mingled  feeling,  in  which  good-will,  condescen- 
sion, and  even  pity,  are  the  ingredients  measured 
out  with  all  the  nicety  and  cautiousness  of  a 
medical  prescription.  Chainty!  Yes,  Charity,  in 
the  modem  acceptation  of  the  term,  is  that  which 
we  give  to  Cliristians  who  "follow  not  with  us." 
"On  the  whole,  notwithstanding  their  defects,  I 
have  charity  for  them,"  is  the  very  significant 
admission  which  Christ  daily  hears  from  the  lips 
of  his  redeemed,  renewed,  dependent  disciples ! 
"  I  love  them,  notwithstanding  some  deficiencies," 
Avould  convey  to  any  hearer  a  diflferent  idea.  But 
"brotherly  love"  is  too  often  reserved  for  the 
party  to  which  the  individual  belongs,  —  yes,  that 
is  the  word,  helonr/s,'  for  a  party-man  in  religion 
is  not  his  own,  nor  is  he  Christ's,  —  he  l)elongs 
to  his  party.  It  is  natural  —  and  the  propriety 
of  the  feeling,  within  certain  limits,  need  not  bo 
questioned  —  that  we  should  feel  a  special  regard 
for  those  Christians  whose  principles  and  spirit 


44 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


and  conduct  we  consider  as  most  completely  scrip- 
tural; but  even  here  there  is  peculiar  danger  lest 
we  should  prefer  them  because  they  coincide  with 
ourselves,  rather  than  because  they  most  nearly 
resemble  the  Saviour,  and  have  the  largest  meas- 
ure of  his  ajiprobation.  Do  we  take  them  to  our 
hearts  because  of  their  attainments  in  the  higher 
Christian  life,  or  because  of  their  exact  conformity 
to  our  opinions  and  practices?  You  are  not 
ignorant,  my  brother,  that  such  is  the  power  of 
the  selfishness  which  is  nurtured  by  sectarian 
divisions  as  to  render  it  easier  to  regard  with 
special  favor  a  man  of  moderate  i>icty  in  one's 
own  denomination,  than  a  man  of  uncommon 
holiness  who  stands  associated  with  a  Christian 
people  of  another  name. 

IIow  difficult,  under  such  circumstances,  must 
be  the  formation  of  a  complete  religious  charac- 
ter !  How  difficult,  when  the  benevolent  feelings 
are  thus  restricted,  to  be  "  made  perfect  in  love ! " 
IIow  much  real  excellence  is  there  in  loving  those 
who  love  us,  and  who  love  ns  for  the  same  reasons 
that  we  love  them?  Well  did  Jesus  inquire,  "Do 
not  even  the  publicans  the  same  ?  "  No  increase 
of  such  love  can  i)ro2>erly  bo  called  growth  in 
grace. 

It  is  a  peculiarity  of  the  recent  convert  that 
he  loves  all  who  exhibit  the  spirit  and  maintain 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


45 


the  life  of  the  Christian ;  and  when  he  thinks  of 
avowing  publicly  his  attachment  to  the  Saviour, 
and  connecting  himself  by  covenant  with  the  peo- 
ple of  God,  it  is  inexpressibly  painful  that  he 
cannot  follow  his  convictions  of  duty  without 
identifying  himself  with  a  sect,  and  thus  inclosing 
himself  within  walls  which  he  shall  be  pledged 
to  strengthen  and  defend,  —  walls  of  separation, 
of  which  he  reads  nothing  in  his  Bible,  —  walls 
which  divide  believers  not  so  much  from  the 
world  as  from  other  believers.  Thousands  in  our 
Churches  remember  Avell  the  simplicity  and  ten- 
derness of  th(5ir  feelings  at  the  time  of  their 
spiritual  infancy,  and  the  j)rocess  by  which  those 
feelings  were  schooled  into  submission  to  what 
they  learned  to  regard  as  unavoidable  necessity. 
With  aching  hearts  they  inquired,  "  Why  are 
Chi-istians  thus  broken  into  separate  and  rival 
sects?  Why  are  they  not,  as  I  read  they  were 
in  apostolic  times,  all  one?"  And  thqy  ceased 
not  to  ask  such  questions  \mtil  the  Christian  feel- 
ing had  declined,  and  the  sectarian  feeling  had 
gained  the  ascendency.  And,  occasionally,  at 
subsequent  periods,  as  their  piety  has  been  re- 
vived and  the  Avork  of  grace  has  been  deepened 
in  their  souls,  have  these  questions  recurred  only 
to  remain  unanswered  as  before ;  while  the  feeling 
that  prompted  them,  has,'  by  a  sunilar  j)roccs9. 


46 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEKHOOD. 


been  gradually  smothered  and  silenced.  On  this 
subject  I  deal  not  in  conjectures ;  I  sj^eak  what  I 
know,  and  testify  that  which  I  have  seen.  Every 
Christian  is  convinced  that  to  unite  with  a  sect  is 
better  than  to  make  no  profession  of  religion; 
but  there  are  multitudes,  of  more  than  one  de- 
nomination, who  regard  the  alternative  as  a  choice 
of  evils,  the  whole  of  which  they  would  gladly 
avoid.  They  painfully  feel  the  power  of  the  temp- 
tations to  which,  by  a  sectarian  profession,  they 
are  inevitably  exposed,  —  temptations  which  they 
cannot  successfully  resist,  except  by  withdraAving 
or  greatly  weakening  their  vigilance  at  other 
points  which  need  their  guardian  forces.  The 
position  wliich  they  have  assumed,  the  influences 
by  which  they  are  encompassed,  and,  above  all, 
the  subtle  jiower  of  diabolical  agency,  render  it 
extremely  difficult  for  them  to  keep  their  affec- 
tions flowing  forth,  as  they  would  have  them, 
over  all  barriers,  and  encircling  in  their  compre- 
hensive embrace  the  entire  "houseliold  of  faith." 
In  such  circumstances,  the  cultivation  of  brotherly 
love,  such  as  the  New  Testament  both  requires 
and  illustrates,  is  a  task  of  no  ordinary  magni- 
tude, and  the  wonder  is  not,  that  there  is  so  little 
of  this  large-hearted  affection  among  Christians 
of  differing  sects,  but  that,  in  our  divided  and 
alienated  condition,  there  is  any.    So  far  as  we 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


47 


possess  this  clement  of  Christian  character,  let 
us  be  grateful,  and  own  that  by  the  grace  of  God 
we  are,  in  this  particular,  what  we  are.  And  let 
us  henceforth  be  doubly  vigilant,  lest  our  con- 
sciences should  be  ensnared  by  the  vicious  delu- 
sion that  love  of  sect  is,  under  our  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances, all  that  our  Master  requires ;  and  lest 
we  should  illegitimately  infer  that  the  more  we 
have  of  this  narrowed  "love  to  the  brethren," 
the  stronger  may  be  our  assurance  that  "  we  have 
passed  from  death  unto  life."  Who  are  "  the 
brethren  ?  "  Are  not  all  who  have  received  "  the 
adoption  of  sons,"  and  been  made  "partakers  of 
the  Divine  nature,"  and  have  one  Father  by  their 
new  creation  in  Christ  Jesus?  Are  not  all  who 
*'  draw  near  to  God "  through  the  same  Mediator 
and  by  the  same  Divine  agency?  Are  not  all 
whom  God  has  "accepted  in  the  Beloved,"  justi- 
fying them  by  that  "  righteousness  which  is  unto 
all  and  upon  all  them  that  believe,"  and  shedding 
abroad  his  lov(!  in  their  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost? 
Are  not  all  who  have  "  good  hope  through  grace  " 
warming  their  bosoms,  and  not  only  animating 
them  under  all  the  troubles  and  conflicts  of  this 
life,  but  j)romising  to  do  so  amidst  the  languors 
and  agonies  of  their  last  moments  ?  Disobedient 
they  may  be  in  some  things  which  we  think  im- 
portant, and  yet  they  are  believers  in  Christ ;  they 


48 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD, 


are  "  fellow-citizens  of  the  saints ; "  tlieir  names 
are  in  the  Book  of  Life ;  they  are  heirs  to  the 
heavenly  inheritance.  If  we  love  them  not  as 
brethren,  and  "heirs  together  with  us,"  how  can 
we  say  that  we  have  fellowship  with  God  ?  How 
say  that  we  love  the  invisible  Father,  when  we 
love  not  his  visible  childi-en, — his  "  whole  family  ?  " 

The  unfavorable  influence  of  our  sectarian  divis- 
ions is  manifest  also  in  their  effect  upon  our  study 
of  the  Sacred  Volume.  It  is  not  an  unusual  com- 
plaint among  ministers,  that  they  find  it  extremely 
difficult  to  read  the  Bible  for  devotional  pm-poses 
without  frequent  distraction  of  mind,  and  diversion 
of  thought  and  feeling  from  their  proper  object. 
Passages  strike  their  attention  as  affording  topics 
for  sermons,  or  choice  proof-texts  in  support  of 
some  favorite  theory,  and  their  intellects  work  in 
that  direction,  while  their  hearts  remain  unim- 
pressed, unrefreshed ;  and  they  bend  the  knee  in 
prayer  with  no  benefit  from  the  warming,  quiclvcn- 
ing  Word.  Similar  is  the  tendency  of  our  minds, 
when  habituated  to  sectarian  reflections  and  discus- 
sions, to  wander  from  the  true  objects  of  Biblical 
investigation,  and  to  regard  that  i)recious  treasury 
of  truth  as  merely  an  armory  from  Avhich  may 
be  drawn  the  weapons  of  our  warfare,  not  with 
God's  enemies,  not  with  our  own  enemies,  but  with 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


49 


brethren  who  do  not  coincide  with  iis  in  all  points 
of  systematic  divinity,  or  all  the  formularies  of 
Christian  worship,  or  all  the  triangularities  of  eccle- 
siastical organization. 

Among  the  primary  objects  with  reference  to 
which  we  should  "  search  the  Scriptures,"  one  is, 
that  we  may  obtain  the  food  requisite  to  the  nour- 
ishing of  the  life  of  God  in  our  own  souls.  The 
Bible  is  the  storehouse  of  spiritual  nutriment,  con- 
taining "  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word "  for  the 
infantile  and  feeble,  and  the  "strong  meat"  suited 
to  thera  who  are  of  "  full  age."  It  was  the  testi- 
mony of  Moses,  in  advanced  life,  and  as  the  result 
of  a  long  experience,  and  his  statement  was  cor- 
roborated by  the  Saviour,  that  "  Man  doth  not  live 
by  bread  only,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Lord."  "Thy  words  wei-e 
found,"  said  a  proi^het,  "  and  I  did  eat  them ; "  and 
Job  declared  that  he  esteemed  the  words  of  God's 
mouth  more  than  his  necessary  food.  Every  spirit- 
ual Christian  knows  that  he  advances  in  the  divine 
life,  and  has  liis  graces  developed  and  strengthened, 
only  so  far  as  he  receives  and  inwardly  digests  the 
nutritious  truths  which  his  provident  Father  has 
garnered  up  for  his  family  in  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments.  Having  opened  to  him  such  a  copious- 
ness  of  good  things,  which  he  has  often  found  to 
be  sweet  to  his  taste  and  invigoi-ating  to  his  whole 


50 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


spiritual  constitution,  he  wonders  not  at  the  Divine 
requirement,  "  Grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  and  he  is  not 
surprised  to  find  that  they  who  live  by  faith  upon 
God's  word  are  spiritually  "  fat  and  flourishing," 
and  strong  in  soul  for  Christian  labor.  Why  should 
it  not  be  so,  when  they  are  fed  with  "  the  finest  of 
the  wheat,"  and  "  satisfied  with  honey  out  of  the 
Rock,"  and  refreshed  daily  with  "  water  out  of  the 
wells  of  salvation?"  Seest  thou  a  professor  of 
Christianity  spiritually  lean,  gaunt,  haggard — know 
assuredly  that  he  lives  not  xipon  the  "  children's 
bread." 

Another  object  should  be  that  wo  may  ascertain 
the  duties  which  God  would  have  us  perform.  Be- 
fore the  revealed  Word  was  furnished,  the  inquirer 
for  the  Divine  will  resorted  directly  to  God,  and 
asked  for  specific  directions.  But,  since  the  com- 
pletion of  the  Sacred  Volume,  and  the  discontinu- 
ance of  Inspiration,  the  inquiries  of  Christians,  not 
only  as  to  what  they  shall  believe,  but  also  as  to 
what  they  shall  practise,  are  directed  to  these 
heavenly  oracles.  He  who  studies  the  Bible  with 
a  sincere  desire  to  learn  his  duties,  and  with  a  fall 
determination  to  perform  them,  never  fails  of  suc- 
cess ;  for  the  Saviour  declares  that  "  if  any  man 
will  do,"  "he  shall  know;"  and  that  if  any  man  will 
follow  him,  "he  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but 


CHRISTIAN  BKOTHEEHOOD. 


51 


shall  have  the  light  of  life."  Such  a  Christian  will 
gratefully  confess  to  God  :  "  Thy  -word  is  a  lamp 
unto  my  feet,  and  a  light  unto  my  path."  It  is 
indeed  the  "  more  sure  "  source  of  practical  illumi- 
nation "  unto  which  we  do  well  that  we  take  heed 
as  unto  a  light  that  shineth  in  a  dark  place  till  the 
day  dawn,"  and  we  find  ourselves  in  a  land  where 
"there  is  no  night."  Blessed  Book!  all  "given  by 
inspiration  of  God,  and  profitable  for  doctrine,  for 
reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteous- 
ness ;  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thor- 
oughly furnished  unto  all  good  works." 

A  third  object  is,  that  we  may  become  familiar 
with  the  truths  by  which  we  are  to  advance  the 
spiritual  benefit  of  our  fellow-men.  Christians  are 
appointed  to  an  important  agency  in  promoting 
the  salvation  of  men.  The  instrumentality  which 
they  are  required  to  employ,  and  to  which  the 
Holy  Spirit  gives  efiiciency,  is  the  Divine  Word. 
The  truths  of  the  Bible  are  the  arrows,  "  sharp  in 
the  heart  of  the  King's  enemies,"  that  do  execution. 
Jesus,  after  declaring  important  truths,  added, 
"  These  things  I  say  that  ye  might  bo  saved ; "  and 
his  petition  for  his  chosen,  was,  "  Sanctify  them 
through  thy  truth;  thy  word  is  truth;"  and  he 
assured  them,  "  Now  ye  are  clean  [KuSapoi]  through 
the  word  which  I  have  spoken  unto  you."  Tho 
Apostles  regarded  the  Gospel  —  that  glorious  sys- 


52 


CIIKISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


tern  of  truth  addressed  to  free  agents  —  as  the 
grand  instrumentaUty  by  which  they  were  to 
destroy  sin  and  build  up  hoUness  in  the  Avorld;  and 
with  that  instrumentaUty  they  made  themselves 
carefully  and  extensively  acquainted,  that  so,  being 
"  mighty  in  the  Scriptures,"  they  could  "  with  great 
power"  execute  their  mission  of  mercy.  The 
truths  of  the  Bible  are  "  the  weapons  of  our 
warfare,"  "  mighty  through  God "  to  the  demoli- 
tion of  Satan's  "strongholds"  in  human  hearts, 
human  philosophies,  and  human  customs  ;  and  they 
are  also  the  implements  of  wondrous  efficacy  by 
which  we  prepare  the  materials,  and  build  upon  the 
one  Foundation  of  that  spiritual  edifice  which  con- 
sists of  "  lively  stones,"  "  fitly  framed  together," 
and  which  "groweth  unto  a  holy  temple  in  the 
Lord."  He,  therefore, — whether  he  be  a  "master- 
builder  "  or  a  "  worker  together  with  hiin,"  —  who 
would  show  himself  "  a  workman  approved  unto 
God,  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly 
dividing  the  word  of  truth,"  must  make  himself 
familiarly  acquainted  with  that  "  word  of  truth." 
Let  his  soul  be  deeply  impregnated  with  the  spirit 
of  his  Master ;  and  then,  with  tlic  Bible  in  his 
heart,  and  in  his  hand,  and  upon  his  tongue,  —  the 
Bible  understood,  loved,  and  skilfully  used,  —  he 
will  be  "thoroughly  furnished"  as  an  agent  of 
good  to  the  Ciiurch  and  the  world. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


53 


Such  are  the  primarj'  objects  that  the  Chi-istian 
should  have  in  view  as  he  bends  his  faculties  to  the 
study  of  God's  revealed  truth.  With  the  accom- 
plishment of  such  objects  the  sectarian  spii'it  most 
injuriously  interferes.  It  may  prompt  to  the  inves- 
tigation of  the  Divine  Oracles,  and  lead  to  the 
acquisition  of  some  truth ;  but  its  object  is  widely 
diverse  from  those  a\  hich  I  have  specified,  and  from 
every  object  which  a  spu-it  inhaled  at  the  foot  of 
the  cross  would  propose  to  accompUsh.  It  is  no 
part,  or,  at  best,  only  a  secondary  and  subordinate 
part,  of  its  cherished  design  to  employ  its  attain- 
ments in  Biblical  knowledge  to  promote  the  inter- 
ests of  personal  holiness.  The  true  sectarian  does 
not  study  the  Bible  so  much  for  spiritual  nutriment 
as  for  theological  argument.  He  aims,  not  so 
much  at  the  extension  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
as  at  the  streugtljcuiug  and  defending  of  denom- 
inational ramparts.  He  trains  himself  to  the  dex- 
trous use  of  "  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,"  not  that  he 
may  Avin  tropliies  to  his  Lord  from  the  ranks  of 
the  enemy,  but  tliat  he  may  be  a  skilful  gladiator 
in  controversies  with  a  portion  of  his  Father's  chil- 
dren who  utter  not  his  shibboleth,  or  who,  in  the 
exercise  of  the  right  of  private  judgment,  have 
chosen  a  name  and  adopted  a  polity  of  their  own. 
lie  clothes  himself  with  a  panoply,  not  "  tlie  whole 
armor  of  God,"  as  described  by  an  Apostle,  but 


54 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


cue  which  he  has  manufactured  more  for  the  pro- 
tection of  his  intellect  than  his  lieart,  of  his  theo- 
logical consistency  than  his  spiritual  integrity ;  and, 
thus  equipped,  he  goes  forth  to  conflict  —  not  with 
"principalities  and  powers,"  the  "rulers  of  the 
darkness  of  this  world,"  but  with  brethren  whom 
he  knows,  and,  if  asked,  acknowledges,  to  be  "  fel- 
low-citizens of  the  saints,  and  of  the  household  of 
God,"  and  heirs  with  him  to  the  promised  inheri- 
tance. 

Alas  !  what  multitudes  of  the  professed  followers 
of  Jesus  are  better  skilled  in  partisan  warfare  than 
in  the  holy  ai't  of  resisting  the  devil,  and  over- 
coming the  world,  and  keeping  the  body  imderl 
It  is  admitted  that  "  he  who  winneth  souls  is  wise ;" 
but,  in  their  estimation,  he  is  immensely  wiser  who 
gets  the  mastery  in  argument,  and  prostrates  —  in 
modern  phrase,  uses  uy)  —  an  antagonist  brother. 
Is  it  not  a  fact,  a  mournful  fact,  that  a  large  propor- 
tion of  Christians  are  better  versed  in  those  points 
respecting  which  denominations  differ,  tlian  those 
in  whicli  they  agree  ? 

Surely  it  requires  no  great  perspicacity  to  see 
that  our  divisions,  by  encouraging  the  stiuly  of  the 
Bible  with  a  spirit  and  an  intent  that  arc  adverse 
to  the  cultivation  of  Christian  love,  must  liave  the 
effect  to  deteriorate  individual  piety,  and  impair 
individual  usefulness. 


CHRISTIAN  BKOTHEKHOOD. 


55 


Much  might  be  said  resjiecting  the  loss  whicli 
individual  piety  must  suffer  from  the  amount  of 
feeling,  time,  and  effort,  that  are  almost  inevitably 
given  to  sectarian  intci'ests  and  sectarian  projects, 
rather  than  to  the  claims  of  personal  sanctification, 
or  tlie  advancement  of  the  Christian  cause.  The 
flame  of  patriotism  is  sure  to  be  feeble  and  flicker- 
ing in  the  bosom  of  that  man  who  gives  to  party 
"what  belongs  to  his  country.  It  is  not  easy  to  be 
a  strong  partisan  and  also  a  good  citizen.  And 
there  is  a  broader  range  for  the  affections  than  the 
nation,  though  it  be  "  our  own,  our  native  land." 
The  true  man  regards  the  interests  of  humanity  as 
superior  to  those  of  nationality.  He  is  not  con- 
tent with  loving  a  single  nation  ;  he  loves  his  race, 
and  would  benefit  the  whole.  So  is  it  with  the 
Christian,  who  always  finds  the  spirit  of  sect  incom- 
patible .with  enlarged  devotion  to  Zion's  welfare, 
and  full  allegiance  to  Zion's  King.  What  he  gives 
of  heart  and  endeavor  to  a  sect,  as  such,  is  so  much 
withheld  from  tlie  claims  of  general  brotlierhood. 

And  it  would  not  be  difiicult  to  show  how 
unhappily  our  schisms  minister  nutriment  to  the 
malign  dispositions,  while  the  better  qualities  are 
left  to  languish  in  pining  atrophy.  In  desiring 
the  prosperity  of  his  own  denomination,  the  Chris- 
tian is  very  liable  to  be  willing  that  others  should 


56 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


suffer.  In  describing  the  progress  of  liis  own 
principles,  he  is  tinder  a  strong  tem2)tation  to 
represent  the  principles  of  others  as  declining 
in  public  confidence.  Only  by  special  effort  can 
he  command  the  magnanimity  requii'cd  to  sjieak 
justly  of  the  excellences  belonging  to  another 
sect.  Unless  he  is  extremely  careful,  he  will 
magnify  the  alleged  errors  and  imperfections  of 
others,  while  he  extenuates  or  conceals  what- 
ever is  objectionable  in  his  associates.  A  testi- 
mony advantageous  to  his  opponents  he  receives 
at  a  discount,  and  one  that  is  unfavorable  he 
accepts  at  a  premium.  "Magues  mendaciorum 
credulitas,"  is  an  old  j^roverb  that  has  not  yet 
lost  its  pertinency ;  for  credulity  is  still  the  mag- 
net of  untruths;  and  many  such  magnets  are  to 
be  found  in  every  place  where  the  sectarian  spii'it 
prevails,  drawing  together  loose  insinuations,  flying 
rumors,  and  idle  conjectures,  and  embodying  them 
into  forms  disparaging  to  the  reputation,  and  det- 
rimental to  the  influence,  of  whole  bodies  of  Chris- 
tian believers. 

Should  it  be  said  that  these  arc  not  uniformly 
or  necessarily  the  results  of  sectarian  division, 
my  only  reply  is  that  they  are  the  natural,  and,  in 
numberless  cases,  the  actual,  fi'uit  of  such  division ; 
and  that  the  tendency,  in  all  cases,  is  to  the  pro- 
duction df  such  fruit.    To  retain  tenaciously  our 


CHKISTIAN  BROTHERUOOD. 


57 


own  views  and  practices,  and  yet  feel,  speak,  and 
act  as  we  should  towards  all  who  differ  from  us, 
is  not  indeed  an  impossibility,  but  certainly  is  a 
difficult  and  rare  attainment.  If  ecclesiastical  his- 
tory proves  anything,  it  furnishes  abundant  proof 
that  good  men  often  find  it  easier  to  tolerate 
moral  obliquity  of  conduct  than  nonconformity 
of  creed  or  ritual. 

Well  may  the  lovers  of  Christian  holiness,  who 
are  striving  after  higher  attainments  in  the  Divine 
life,  solemnly  protest  against  the  perpetuity  of 
an  acknowledged  evil  that  subjects  them  and  all 
their  fellow-disciples  to  such  numerous,  powerfiil, 
and  unnecessary  temptations.  Why  should  their 
consciences  be  exposed,  gratuitously,  to  so  many 
snares?  Why  should  their  benevolent  feelings 
be  so  restricted  and  pent  up  by  enclosures,  beyond 
which,  without  extraordhiary  effort,  they  cannot 
])ass?  Why  may  they  not  read  their  Bibles  sim- 
]ily  and  exclusively  as  Christians  who  wish  to  be 
"  complete  in  all  the  will  of  God  ? "  Why  may 
they  not  consecrate  their  whole  time,  thought, 
feeling,  effort,  to  the  cultivation  of  holiness  in 
themselves  and  others  ?  When  they  would  labor 
and  pray,  for  the  entire  suppression  of  malevolent 
feelings,  and  the  full  development  of  those  which 
are  "lovely  and  of  good  report,"  why  should  they 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


be  cruelly  encompassed  Avith  influences  wMch 
excite  ancl  nourish  the  noxious  elements,  and  de- 
press into  dwarfish  and  sickly  insignificance  their 
competitors,  the  gracious  afiections?  Why  can 
they  not  be  perfectly  free  to  give  their  coun- 
tenance and  sympathy  to  "  the  weightier  matters 
of  the  law,"  and  of  the  gospel  also,  without  incur- 
ring the  suspicion  that  they  are  becoming  indif- 
ferent to  denominational  claims?  My  brother, 
you  Avill  not  blame  me,  if  I  repeat,  that  some- 
where there  is  flagrant  wrong,  Avhich  ought  at 
once  to  be  repented  of  and  jjut  away. 

2.  THE  INJrRIOlJS  EFFECT  OF  BIVISIOX  IX  PER- 
TEKTIXG  AXD  WASTING  THE  EESOUllCES  OF  THE 
CHURCH. 

Commanded  by  her  Sovereign  to  spread  out 
in  affectionate  concert,  and  conquer  the  revolted 
world,  and  reclaim  it  to  himself,  the  Church,  for  a 
season,  obeyed  his  insti-uctions,  and  gave  delight- 
ful proof  of  her  loyalty.  That  the  results  were 
salutary  to  herself,  beneficial  to  the  "world,  and 
glorious  to  her  honored  Lord,  authentic  histoiy 
abundantly  testifies.  Tliose  were  days  of  true 
Christian  Fraternity  in  Christian  Activity.  One 
Head  presided  over  the  movements  of  the  Church, 
and  was  reverently  acknowledged ;  one  Heart 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


59 


beat  in  her  bosom,  and  sent  to  every  member  one 
element  of  invigorating  vitality.  "  The  whole 
Body,  fitly  framed  together,  and  comj^acted  by 
that  which  every  joint  supplicth,  according  to 
the  effectual  working  in  the  measure  of  every 
part,"  moved  forward  under  the  direction  of  one 
Will ;  having  in  view  one  end,  the  glory  of  Christ; 
governed  by  one  rale,  the  Divine  Word ;  impelled 
by  one  motive,  evangelical  Love.  Thus  moving 
toward  one  j^oint,  and  in  one  line,  the  Church 
moved  with  power,  and  one  effect  was  "increase 
of  the  Body  unto  the  edifying  of  itself  in  love." 
Her  prayers  were  effectual,  for  they  were  the 
joint  supplications  of  those  who  agreed  as  touch- 
ing the  things  which  they  desired  and  asked ;  her 
testimony  was  convincing,  because  it  was  the 
concun-ent  testimony  of  thousands,  among  whom, 
without  a  Satanic  miracle,  there  could  have  been 
no  collusion ;  her  endeavors  were  effective,  for  to 
the  execution  of  her  gi-eat  entei-prise,  her  mem- 
bers and  her  resources  were  unreservedly  conse- 
crated. The  world  saw  and  felt  and  confessed 
that  it  was  plied  by  a  moral  power,  before  which 
its  depravities,  and  philosophies,  and  religions, 
were  like  the  chaff  of  the  summer  threshing-floor. 
One  of  her  number  could  say,  that  "  from  Jerusa- 
lem round  about  unto  Illyricum"  he  had  "fully 
preached  the  gospel  of  Christ."    In  less  than  fifty 


60 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


years  after  the  ascension  of  her  Lord,  she  had 
not  only  "filled  Jerusalem  with  her  doctrine,"  but, 
according  to  the  concession  of  an  enemy,  "the 
world  with  her  converts."  She  was  a  united 
Church,  and  her  fraternal  cooperation  was  an  im- 
portant element  of  her  j^ower.  She  neither  per- 
verted nor  wasted  any  of  her  ability  by  devoting 
it  to  inferior  purposes;  much  less  by  employing 
one  part  of  it  to  counteract  another. 

The  Apostles  were,  one  after  another,  sent  home 
to  their  reward;  and  their  immediate  successors, 
partaking  largely  of  their  spirit,  and  acting  on 
their  plans,  led  on  the  Church  still  "from  con- 
quering to  conquer,"  every  day  gaining  new  vio- 
tories  for  her  King,  and  every  evening  exclaim- 
ing, "Thanks  be  unto  God  who  always  causeth 
us  to  triumph  in  Christ,  and  maketh  manifest  by 
us  the  savor  of  his  knowledge  in  every  place." 
Happy,  beyond  descrii)tion,  for  the  Church  and 
the  world,  if  that  spirit  had  never  subsided;  if 
those  successes  had  never  been  interrupted ;  if 
the  same  consecration  to  one  work  had  been  per- 
petuated ! 

Satan's  policy  is  to  divide  and  weaken.  By 
diligent  search  he  found  seams  in  the  Christian 
mass,  and,  inserting  small  wedges,  he  found  ambi- 
tious men,  of  questionable  piety,  to  drive  them. 
Stealthily,  slowly,  the  Church  became  divided. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


61 


and  began  to  turn  her  attention  from  the  great 
service  assigned  her,  to  matters  of  internal  policy, 
"  strifes  about  words,"  "  vain  jangling,"  and  other 
evils,  against  which  she  had  been  plainly  and 
solemnly  admonished.  From  that  period,  through 
long  centuries,  her  men  and  her  means  became 
Largely  devoted  to  the  aggressive  and  the  de- 
fensive operations  of  the  indefinite  number  of 
feeble  squadrons  into  Avhich  she  was  more  and 
more  broken.  At  length,  by  the  might  of  the 
secular  arm,  dissent  was  well-nigh  crushed,  and 
what  was  called  the  Church  assumed  a  consoli- 
dated foiTO  under  an  earthly  head,  and  the  night 
of  spiritual  despotism  was  long  and  dreary.  The 
Refomiution  of  the  sixteenth  century  was  the 
reviving  of  light  and  life.  But  it  was  an  imper- 
fect work,  and  was  disfigured  by  divisions  among 
its  leaders,  and,  consequently,  among  their  fol- 
lowers; and  Protestantism,  with  all  its  benefits, 
has  entailed  upon  the  Church  the  evils  of  schism, 
multiform,  virulent,  disgi-aceful.  The  Papacy  has 
strength  in  her  centralization,  and  her  control  of 
the  consciences  of  lier  millions.  Protestantism 
has  strength  in  her  principles;  but  it  is  cut  up 
into  factions,  and  is  inunensoly  wasted  by  being 
perversely  employed  in  party  conflict.  In  Spain 
we  have  an  illustration  of  the  practical  influence 
u]i(m  power  of  both  union  .and  disunion.  Once 
G 


62 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


she  was  united,  and  liistoiy  is  burdened  with  the 
record  of  lier  achievements.  Subsequently,  she 
became  divided  into  factions,  which  have  ever 
since  been  preying  upon  one  another,  and  thwart- 
ing all  designs  for  the  common  good.  Now,  she 
is  one  of  the  poorest  and  feeblest  of  the  nations 
of  Europe.  Were  she  to  talk  of  foreign  conquest, 
she  would  be  the  laughing-stock  of  the  world. 
Similar  have  been  the  results  of  schism  in  the 
Protestant  Body.  The  Church  is  weakened  and 
criijpled,  not  merely  by  the  division  and  subdi- 
vision of  her  numerical  strength,  her  pecuniary 
resources,  and  her  moral  energy,  but  immensely 
more  by  the  perversion  and  waste  of  her  ability 
in  that  guerilla  wai-fare,  Sj)aniard-like,  which  has 
been  kept  up  for  three  centuries.  "Biting  and 
devouring  one  another,"  sects  have  been  "  con- 
sumed one  of  another,"  —  consumed  as  to  their 
piety,  their  influence,  their  capabilities  for  useful- 
ness. The  result  is,  that  lier  attempts  at  foreign 
invasion  are  M'anting  in  vigor,  and  make  but  a 
feeble  impression  on  tlie  domain  of  the  jirince  of 
darkness.  And  this  is  not  all.  While  the  sects 
have  thus  been  employed  in  party  controversies, 
the  forces  of  evil  have  been  left  free  to  perpetrate 
human  destruction  on  the  largest  scale.  Several 
hamlets  on  the  side  of  Etna  were  in  danger  of 
being  destroyed  by  streams  of  lava  that  came 


CHRISTIAN  BUOTHERHOOD. 


63 


ponniig  in  their  direction.  The  inhabitants  turned 
out  to  throw  uj)  embanlcments  and  dig  trendies 
that  might  divert  the  currents,  and  thus  leave 
their  homes  and  tlieir  j^i'operty  unharmed.  But 
they  were  of  rival  and  disagreed  hamlets;  and, 
heedless  of  the  common  danger,  they  soon  began 
to  dispute  about  their  work,  and  the  way  of  doing 
it;  and  from  hard  words  they  proceeded  to  harder 
arguments,  and  broke  their  implements  of  labor  in 
rough  encounter.  The  issue  was,  that  the  river 
of  fire,  undiverted,  rolled  on,  and  overwhelmed 
the  dwellings  and  the  vineyards  of  the  bruised 
combatants,  and  they  mourned,  too  late,  the  folly 
of  their  feuds  and  bickerings. 

Am  I  incorrect  in  matters  of  fact?  Are  my 
conclusions  illegitimate?  What  has  the  Church 
been  doing  for  the  last  fifteen  centuries?  And 
what  have  been  the  results  of  her  impolitic  and 
unlovely  procedures?  Begin  Avith  Eusebius,  and 
read  tlic  volumes  of  history  Avhicli  have  given  im- 
mortality to  the  humiliating  record  of  her  shame ; 
—  I  mean  not  the  histories  which  have  been  Aviit- 
ten  by  her  enemies,  and  designed  to  hold  her  up 
to  the  derision  and  scorn  of  posterity, —  nor  yet  the 
histories  prepared  by  violent  schismatics,  abound- 
ing in  misrepresentation  and  party  abuse,  —  but 
those  more  impartial  histories  A\luch  intelligent 


64 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERnOOD. 


lieads  nnd  honest  hearts  have  commeuded  to  our 
investigation,  and  upon  whose  statements  of  fact, 
and  delineations  of  character,  and  philosophical 
inductions,  we  can  rely  as  confidently  as  we  can 
trust  anything  human,  —  and  what  is  the  conclu- 
sion to  which  you  come,  —  what,  but  the  obvious 
one,  that  the  moral  power  of  the  Church  has,  to  a 
deplorable  extent,  been  squandered  upon  unwor- 
thy and  forbidden  objects?  Examine  the  books 
which  she  has  produced,  only  a  remnant  of  which, 
indeed,  have  descended  to  our  times,  and  what 
are  the  subjects  of  which  they  treat,  what  the 
ends  at  which  they  aim,  what  the  spirit  in  which 
they  were  conceived  and  elaborated  ?  If  we  may 
judge  fi'om  the  specimens  thought  worthy  of  jires- 
ervation,  or  confide  in  the  testimony  of  the  less 
partial  historians  of  successive  ages,  what  have 
been  the  aim,  the  temper,  the  character,  of  the 
sermonizing  of  the  Church?  Have  her  preachers, 
more  than  a  small  minority,  been  the  "peace-mak- 
ers" whom  the  Master  would  i)ronounce  "blessed" 
as  "the  sons  of  God?"  Have  they  not,  by  tens 
of  thousands,  been  distinguished  for  their  pug- 
nacious spirit  and  conduct,  —  tlie  bludguon-men  of 
party,  contending  for  victory,  not  over  sin  and 
Satan,  but  often  over  brethren,  wearing,  like  them- 
selves, the  Christian  name  and  the  Christian  liv- 
ery?   Has  not  the  jnilpit,  which  was  ordained 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEnUOOD. 


65 


to  tlie  exhibition  of  Christ  crucified  as  the  Healer 
of  human  woe,  been  made  the  arena  of  inflam- 
matory debate,  the  jilatform  of  catapeltic  con- 
troversy, destructive  rather  than  conservative, 
more  the  instrument  of  the  Fm'ies  than  of  the 
Graces  ? 

But  we  need  not  retire  into  the  past  to  ascer- 
tain the  eliect  of  disunion  ui)on  the  pulpit  and 
the  literature  of  the  Church,  or  the  tendency  of 
a  sectarian  pulpit  and  a  sectarian  literature  to 
pervert  and  waste  her  best  resources,  and  thus 
diminish  her  ability  to  accomplish  her  jiroper 
service.  The  pulpit  and  the  religious  press  are 
not  in  our  day,  as  they  should  be,  the  conse- 
crated vehicles  of  hght  and  love.  With  all  their 
improvements,  resulting  from  the  revived  spiiit 
of  evangelical  enterprise  which  appears  in  every 
department  of  Zion,  and  happily  promises  much 
greater  improvements,  they  are  still  too  much 
the  engines  of  party  spirit  and  party  measures. 
Preachers,  and  authors,  and  editors,  still  feel  it 
incumbent  on  them  to  superintend  their  respective 
denominational  interests,  and  vigilantly  guard,  at 
every  point,  the  partition  walls  against  the  attacks 
of  the  heretical ;  and  in  the  support  of  these 
Defenders  of  the  Faith,  saying  nothing  of  the 
aggressive  class  whose  mission  is  to  push  in\a- 
sion  and  make  breaches,  an  luulue  amount  of 
C* 


66 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD 


Christian  resources  is  absorbed.  Nor  is  this  the 
whole  or  the  worst  of  the  cvih  The  misaiiplica- 
tion  of  mental  jjower,  of  time,  of  money,  is  surely 
something  to  be  regretted.  But  immensely  greater 
is  the  loss  resulting  from  the  spirit  that  is  engen- 
dered, the  prejudices  that  are  strengthened,  the 
alienations  that  are  aggravated.  Who  can  esti- 
mate the  evils  occasioned  by  the  enfeebling  of 
Christian  graces,  the  deterioration  of  Christian 
character,  the  perplexing  of  sincere  inquirers,  the 
grieving  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  hardening  of 
unbelievers,  the  dishonoring  of  the  Saviour?  It 
may  be  said  that  Christians  of  all  j^arties,  to  be 
honest,  must  defend  their  own  creeds  and  itrac- 
tices,  and  endeavor  to  extend  as  Avidely  as  possi- 
ble the  views  which  they  conscientiously  believe 
to  be  Scri2)tural.  Admitting  the  statement  as 
plausible,  the  fact  remains,  that,  by  this  i^rocess, 
there  is  an  amount  of  wasteful  expenditure  for 
which  there  is  no  plausible  apology.  Physical 
ability  and  moral  ])owcr,  that  belong  to  Christ 
and  to  his  universal  cause,  are  devoted  to  party ; 
and,  therefore,  as  I  have  twice  said,  there  is  wrong 
somewhere  that  deserves  reprehension.  A  state 
of  things  Avhich  imposes  upon  Christians  this  seem- 
ing necessity,  and  involves  such  violations  of  the 
laws  of  Christian  economy,  cannot  be  justified 
even  by  sectarian  sophistry. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


67 


My  dear  brother,  are  not  you  and  I  and  all  our 
fellow-disciples  accountable  to  our  redeeming  Lord 
for  the  manner  in  which  we  emjiloy  ourselves,  our 
time,  our  treasure,  our  all  ?  And  when  wc  shall 
stand  before  him,  and  ansAver  for  the  ajiplication 
of  onr  resources,  will  it  be  acceptable  to  him  that 
we  have  devoted  a  third,  a  fifth,  or  even  a  tenth, 
to  the  maintenance  of  party  fortifications,  or  the 
I)rosecution  of  any  mere  party  policy  ?  May  we 
never  forget  our  responsibility  to  our  final  Judge ! 

During  the  last  half-century,  the  different  sects 
of  the  evangelical  have,  in  addition  to  partisan  war- 
fare, commenced  and  carried  forward  operations  of 
a  better  kind,  bearing  a  more  truly  Christian  aspect, 
and  contemplating  results  of  a  higher  order.  How 
much,  in  these  apparently  benevolent  activities, 
there  may  be  of  sectarian  aims,  impulses,  and  spirit, 
is  best  known  to  the  Searchoi-  of  hearts.  But  that 
there  is  much  which  God  approves,  it  would  be 
uncandid  and  unjust  to  question.  It  is  delightful 
to  see  the  friends  of  Christ,  even  in  their  separate 
and  more  or  less  sectarian  organizations,  going 
forth  to  the  service  which  has  been  so  long  and  so 
criminally  neglected.  By  these  movements,  im- 
perfect as  they  have  been,  great  good  has  already 
accrued  to  themselves,  and  .great  blessings  have 
descended  upon  thousands  of  the  perishing,  both 


68 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


at  home  and  abroad.  But  the  experiments  which 
they  have  made  iu  the  various  dejiartments  of 
Christian  enterprise,  have  developed  most  strongly 
the  evil  of  which  I  am  treating.  In  consequence 
of  the  prevalent  divisions  and  the  seeming  impos- 
sibility of  union,  —  perhaps,  in  some  cases,  the  ab- 
sence of  a  desire  for  union,  —  every  denomination 
has  organized  its  own  system  of  machinery,  to  the 
support  of  which  the  ministry  and  the  membership 
feel  themselves  pledged,  and  for  the  efficient  action 
of  which  large  demands  are  often  made  ujDon  their 
liberality.  Thus,  in  the  United  States,  as  in  Eng- 
land, there  are,  in  the  single  department  of  Foreign 
Missions,  a  number  of  these  separate  organizations, 
everj^  one  complete  iu  itself,  and  any  one  of  them 
capable  of  conducting  the  operations  of  the  whole. 
Supposing  that  all  the  Cliristians  in  North  America 
should  be  united,  as  Avere  the  Christians  of  the  first 
century,  and  should  agree  to  cooperate  heartily  and 
fully  in  eftbrts  to  evangelize  the  heathen  woi-ld,  it 
is  not  difficult  to  see  that  one  Board  or  Committee, 
with  its  Secretaries,  Treasurer,  and  Clerks,  could 
easily  superintend  the  whole  system  of  ojierations, 
however  extended,  thus  sparing  many  valuable 
men  for  other  services,  and  saving  a  large  propor- 
tion of  the  expense  now  unavoidably  incurred  in 
the  support  of  so  many  sets  of  machinery.  As 
matters  now  arc,  every  separate  missionary  organ- 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


69 


ization  is  obliged  to  employ,  for  the  diffusion  of 
information  and  the  supply  of  its  treasury,  a  large 
number  of  agents,  all  of  whom  must  be  paid,  and 
who  travel  over  mainly  the  same  ground,  at  great 
sacrifice  of  time,  labor,  and  pecuniary  expense.  In 
this  particular,  there  would,  upon  the  supposition 
of  union,  be  an  economizing  of  resources  not  at  all 
to  be  despised. 

You  have,  my  brother,  only  to  look  at  the  mul- 
tiplicity of  societies,  strictly  denominational,  and 
yet  conterajjlating  essentially  the  same  ends,  to  be 
convinced  that  our  unchristian  divisions  are  the 
occasion  of  a  most  unwarrantable  perversion  and 
waste  of  our  means  of  usefulness.  And  in  view 
of  such  facts,  minor  though  they  be,  compared 
Avith  others,  you  will  say  that  schism  in  the  Body 
of  Christ  is  censurable.  If  it  be  asked,  "Where 
lies  the  responsibility  of  all  this  wrong  ?  "  that  is 
the  question  which  I  propose  to  my  own  con- 
science, and  which  you  will  propose  to  yours. 

Christianity  is  the  })atron  of  learning;  and 
Christians  of  all  denominations  show  their  con- 
victions of  its  inijjortanco  by  providing  moans  for 
the  education  both  of  their  children  and  their 
ministry.  But  such  is  the  influence  of  the  spirit  of 
sect,  that  every  denomination  has  its  own  institu- 
tions, from  the  boarding  school  up  to  the  Univor- 


70 


CHKISTIAX  BROTHERHOOD. 


sity  and  Theological  Seminaiy,  with  Boards  of 
Trustees,  pupils  and  patrons  mainly  its  OAvn,  and 
dependent  principally  ujjon  denominational  feeling 
and  liberality  for  their  sustentation.  The  mis- 
chievous results  of  such  an  arrangement  are  a 
legion.  Institutions  are  unnecessarily  multiplied, 
and  by  consequence  are  neither  endowed  nor 
adequately  supported.  ^  Suitable  libraries  and 
other  parts  of  the  desirable  apparatus  of  education 
are  not  furnished.  Instructors  are  not  so  well 
paid  as  to  induce  them  to  seek  the  highest  quali- 
fications for  their  employment.  An  elevated  order 
of  education  is  not  provided  for;  and  that  for 
which  provision  is  made,  is  liable  to  take  on  a 
sectarian  coloring  and  configuration.  For  the 
support  of  these  institutions,  large  demands  arc 
made  upon  the  Churches,  as  such,  or  upon  their 
more  able  members,  and  when  these  demands  are 
presented,  the  appeals  are  quite  apt  to  be  addressed 

to  denominational  pride  or  prejudice,  "The  

are  doing  generously  for  their  Academy  or  Col- 
lege, and  they  arc  reaj^ng  the  benefits.  We  must 
contribute  more  nobly  to  ours,  or  it  will  suffer 
in  the  comparison,  and  our  interests  will  be  inju- 
riously affected."     Thus,  while  we  are  all  the 

1  See  Dr.  "Wayland's  "  Tliouglits  on  the  present  CoUcgiato 
System  in  the  Uuited  States." 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


71 


friends  of  education,  we  arc  expected  to  favor  it 
in  such  forms  and  in  such  relations  as  that  the 
advantages  will  inure  to  ourselves. 

'Now,  placing  out  of  the  account  the  moral 
effect  of  such  competition,  it  will  be  obvious  that, 
by  supporting  more  institutions  than  are  needed. 
Christians  arc  perpetrating  a  sinful  waste  of  their 
means  of  usefulness.  Churches  are  robbed  of 
pastoi's  to  supply  presidents  and  professors,  while 
many,  who  might  be  pastors  or  evangelists,  are 
detained  as  instructors  in  small,  sickly  institutions. 
And  then  the  amount  of  funds  that  is  annually 
di'awn  from  the  Churches  to  relieve  these  institu- 
tions from  embarrassment,  or  to  sustain  their  half- 
famished  existence,  is  no  small  item  of  expendi- 
ture, and  might  be  more  judiciously  appropriated. 
I  may  be  told  that  more  is  done  in  this  way,  than 
■would  be  accomplished  under  any  system  of 
Christian  union.  Probably  more  is  given,  but 
is  more  done?  And  are  sectarian  motives  neces- 
sary to  impel  Christians  to  a  due  liberality?  It 
may  be  true,  according  to  Quarles,  that 

"  Somo  faiths  arc  like  those  mills  that  cannot  prind 
Their  com,  unless  they  work  against  the  wind; " 

and  it  may  be  true  that  some  men  arc  the  most 
profuse  in  their  donations  under  the  provocatives 


72 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


of  oiiposition ;  but  it  is  none  the  less  true  that 
under  this  system  there  is  an  enormous  mispjilia- 
cation  of  resources. 

As  circumstances  are,  human  wisdom  cannot 
easily  determine  how  this  evil  may  be  remedied. 
It  is  the  natural  fruit  of  our  divisions  and  their 
consequent  jealousies  and  rivalries,  and,  by  a 
reacting  process,  aggravates  the  cause  in  which 
it  originated.  The  curse  belongs  to  the  sijirit 
of  schism,  and  there  must  the  corrective  be  ap- 
plied. 

We  are  accustomed  to  speak  of  the  destitu- 
tions of  our  countiy.  Large  tracts  of  moral  ter- 
ritory are  represented  as  unreclaimed,  and  invit- 
ing the  care  and  the  toil  of  the  evangelical  culti- 
vator. And  so  long  as  the  divisions,  Avhich  few 
attempt  to  heal,  are  perpetuated,  will  these  moral 
wastes  be  likely  to  remain  and  to  enlarge  tlicm- 
selves,  reproaching  us  for  our  selfishness,  and 
giving  to  the  winds  their  cry  for  relief.  "We  have 
places  of  worship  enough,  and  preachers  enough, 
in  the  evangelical  denominations  of  this  country, 
to  supply  double  the  territory  and  double  the 
population,  that  arc  now  accommodated,  witli 
the  means  of  grace.  There  is  not  an  economical 
distribution,  and  the  cause  of  this  inequality  will 
be  found  mainly  in  the  fact,  —  not,  as  some  sup- 


CHRISTIAN  BKOTHERHOOD. 


73 


pose,  that  the  cities  and  large  towns  are  exces- 
sively supplied  vrith  preachers  and  places  of  wor- 
shi]),  —  but  that  the  spirit  of  sect  has  prevented 
diffusion  by  crowding  two,  three,  or  more  Churches 
and  as  many  preachers  into  small  places,  where 
a  single  Church  and  a  single  pastor  could  and 
should  have  occupied  the  whole  gi-oiind. 

Of  course,  all  denominations  have  an  equal 
right  to  establish  Churches,  build  houses  of  wor- 
ship, and  support  i)reachers  wherever  they  please, 
on  territory  la^vfidly  procured,  accountable  only 
to  the  Judge  of  all  for  their  motives,  their  prin- 
ciples, or  their  policy.  The  question  with  which 
we  are  just  now  concerned  is  not  one  of  simple 
natural  right, — for,  touching  that  point,  there  is 
little  difference  of  oi?inion ;  nor  is  it  one  of  mere 
Christian  comity,  respecting  which  there  is,  unhap- 
pily, much  laxity  of  conscience, — but  it  is  a  ques- 
tion of  expediency,  of  practical  wisdom,  of  pru- 
dent economy,  such  as  concerns  all  mIio  wouM 
do  the  gi-eatest  good  with  their  means,  and  do 
it  under  a  full  sense  of  their  accountability  to 
Christ.  Is  it  becoming  Christians  so  to  differ  as 
to  bring  their  efforts  into  collision,  and  make  their 
natural  rights  reciprocally  destructive  ?  Is  it  a 
judicious  distribution  of  their  men  and  money, 
to  appropriate  more  than  aix'  needed  to  a  small 
field,  when  whole  regions,  measured  by  milos^ 
7 


74 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


rather  than  by  acres,  arc  totally  neglected?  Take 
a  village  which,  with  its  immediate  surromidings, 
contains  three  hundred  or  five  hundred  inhab- 
itants. One  house  of  worshiji,  of  moderate  dimen- 
sions, could  accommodate  all  who  migkt  attend. 
One  minister  could  preach  to  the  whole,  and  per- 
form all  the  duties  that  properly  belong  to  a  pas- 
tor. But  what  is  more  common  than  to  see,  in 
such  a  village,  two  or  more  houses  of  worship, 
with  each  its  vestry  for  social  meetings,  and  each 
its  bell,  heavy  enough  to  be  heard  by  other  vil- 
lages, and  each  its  preacher,  a  little  better,  it  is 
contended,  than  the  other  or  others.  Now,  set- 
ting aside,  for  the  present,  the  bad  moral  influ- 
ence which,  from  humiliating  observation,  we 
know  is  the  almost  invariable  attendant  of  such 
a  state  of  things,  let  any  one  estimate  for  himself 
the  loss  to  the  general  cause  Avhich  results  mainly 
from  that  fruitful  source  of  evil,  sectarian  division. 
All  the  preachers,  more  than  one,  might  bo  spared 
for  destitute  districts.  All  the  money  expended, 
beyond  the  sum  required  for  one  set  of  ecclesi- 
astical operations,  might  liave  been  given  to  the 
aid  of  feebler  Churches,  or  the  promotion  of  Home 
Missions,  or  in  various  other  ways,  to  advance  tho 
general  cause. 

Nor  is  this  want  of  economy  the  whole  of  the 
evil.    Where  there  are  so  many  societies  for  so 


CHRISTIAN  Br.OTHEEHOOD, 


75 


few  people,  they  are  necessarily  smaU  and  feeble. 
Their  houses  of  worship,  erected  under  the  influ- 
ence of  sectarian  pride  and  competition,  often  cost 
them  more  than  they  can  pay,  and  they  are  com- 
pelled to  provide  for  the  interest  of  a  debt,  or 
to  call  upon  Churches  in  other  places  for  relief 
from  the  incumbrance.  They  cannot  adequately 
support  the  preachers  they  want,  and  are  obliged 
to  borrow  or  beg  to  make  uj)  for  a  deficiency,  or 
to  employ,  at  lower  rates,  preachers  of  inferior 
ability,  and,  as  a  consequence,  lose  their  more 
intelligent  liearers.  Under  this  system,  to  a  large 
extent,  have  grown  up  two  evils,  —  begging  for 
meeting-houses,  and  instability  of  the  j^astoral 
relation,  —  evils  which  no  gi'and  jury  has  yet  pre- 
sented as  nuisances. 

Thus,  in  consequence  of  our  sectarian  disunion, 
our  resources,  both  physical  and  spiritual,  are  ab- 
sorbed in  the  accomplishment  of  sectarian  objects. 
We  are  "consumed  one  of  another,"  and  little 
is  left  for  the  higher  ends  of  the  Christian  life. 
Tliere,  flaming  out  on  the  insjiired  i)agc,  is  the 
unfulfilled,  unrepealed  command,  "Go  ye  into  all 
the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture." But,  no ;  we  cannot  do  tliat :  for  the  little 
vineyards  which  we  have  been  trying  to  enlarge, 
a  yard  per  annum,  cannot  spare  us,  or  more  than 
a  pittance  of  our  property.    Two,  three,  four  of 


76 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


US,  all  evangelical  in  the  main,  must  take  care 
of  our  respective  fractions  of  a  village,  come  what 
will  of  hundreds  of  millions  who  never  heard  the 
first  Avord  of  the  gospel!  No;  nve  cannot  con- 
tribute for  any  outside  objects,  —  often  this  is 
sober  fact,  —  for  we  have  such  heavy  exjienses  in 
supporting  our  society,  that  we  stagger  under  our 
burden !  Is  this  riglit  ?  Can  any  unpcrvertcd 
conscience  think  it  right  ?  The  differences  among 
evangelical  denominations  may  have  their  import- 
ance. My  argument  requires  not  their  deprecia- 
tion. But  are  they  so  important  as  to  justify  this 
doubling  and  trebling  of  our  forces  in  such  small 
fields,  when  seven-eighths  of  earth's  population 
are  i^erishing  in  ignorance  and  guilt?  Are  no 
personal  comforts  to  be  surrendered,  no  desirable 
gratifications  to  be  sacrificed,  for  the  benefit  of 
millions  hastening  to  the  pagan's  grave  and  the 
pagan's  eternity? 

This  multiplication  of  feeble  societies  has  also 
an  unfavorable  effect  upon  the  intellectual  char- 
acter of  the  ministry.  A  cry  from  the  heathen, 
or  from  the  destitute  regions  of  our  own  country, 
seldom  withdraws  a  candidate  for  the  sacred  voca<- 
tion  froni  his  studies.  The  caU  may  be  loud  and 
piercing,  but  it  is  not  heard;  or,  if  heard,  not 
heeded.  He  feels  the  need  of  thorough  training; 
he  must  endeavor  to  qualify  himself  more  fully 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


77 


for  Lis  important  work.  In  all  this  he  may  be 
right.  But,  let  an  aiiplication  come  from  some 
village  where  are  two  or  more  rival  interests, 
all  acknowledged  to  be  essentially  Christian;  and. 
let  him  be  told  that  the  "other  societies"  have 
each  a  pastor ;  that  his  denomination  are  suffering 
exceedingly  from  their  destitution;  that  the  young 
people  are  going  off  to  the  other  meetings ;  that 
the  choir  and  the  Sabbath  School  are  diminish- 
ing,—  and  a  chord  is  touched  that  vibrates,  and 
none  the  less  because  he  may  have  in  prospect  cer- 
tain domestic  arrangements.  His  sectarian  feel- 
ings are  brought  into  full  jilay;  denominational 
interests  are  dejiending  ujion  his  decision ;  and 
it  requires  but  a  few  more  facts  of  the  same  bear- 
ing, and  a  little  more  entreaty  from  the  deacon 
or  the  committee,  commissioned  to  negotiate  Avith 
him,  to  overcome  his  love  of  study,  and  conquer 
all  his  scruples  touching  his  obligations  to  the 
Education  Society  or  other  patrons,  and  to  make 
him  forego  the  advantages  of  a  thorough  course 
which  lie  has  often  spoken  of  as  too  iinj)ortant 
to  be  sacrificed.  The  little  society  of  seventy-five 
or  a  hundred  must  be  taken  care  of,  and  he  is  the 
man  to  guard  their  interests  against  all  depreda- 
tors. The  duties  will  not  be  severe ;  he  can  there 
jjursuc  his  studies,  and,  on  the  whole,  ]ierhaps, 
get  as  much  good  as  by  continuing  a  few  ycu's 
7* 


78 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEEHOOD. 


longer  in  his  well-begun  course.  He  accepts  the 
invitation,  marries,  is  ordained,  flouiisbes  a  while 
the  wonder  of  the  village.  Five  years  afterwards, 
where  is  he,  and  what  is  he  ? 

As  we  look  through  the  laud,  we  see  not  a  few, 
any  one  of  whom  might  have  sat  for  this  picture  ; 
and  every  one  of  whom  is  a  standing  proof  of  the 
injurious  mfluence  of  sectarian  divisions  and  rival- 
ries. These  divisions  and  competitions,  by  prac- 
tically reducing  the  standard  of  ministerial  attain- 
ments, rob  the  Church  of  a  large  amount  of 
ministerial  power.  If  it  be  said  that  this  evil  is 
not  universal  among  the  denominations,  I  reply, 
that  gratitude  is  due  to  God  for  the  preservation 
of  any  from  its  baneful  effects. 

I  might  proceed  further,  specifying  particulars 
of  perversion  and  waste  of  the  energies  of  the 
Church  resulting  from  her  xmholy  divisions.  But 
need  I  say  more  ?  How,  my  brother,  can  the 
Church  of  Christ  consent  to  such  an  appropriation 
of  resoiu'ces  that  were  given  hci  by  her  Lord  for 
other  and  nobler  purposes  ?  How  can  she  afford 
thus  to  squander  so  much  of  her  strength,  when 
the  whole,  most  carefully  economized,  is  only  suf- 
ficient for  the  purposes  specified  in  licr  charter 
of  incorporation  ?  And  why  does  she  persist  in 
cljerishing  and  perpetuating  the  reign  of  that  spirit 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


79 


of  evil  —  Schism  —  a  demon  whose  motto,  worn 
on  his  brow  in  sulphureous  charactei's,  is  —  Divide 
and  destroy  I 

3.  THE  INJURIOUS  EFFECT  OF  DIVISION  IN  WEAK- 
ENING THE  DEMONSTRATION  IN  FAVOR  OF  OUR 
RELIGION. 

When  Jesus  stood  at  tlie  grave  of  Lazarus,  he 
prayed  to  his  Father,  as  if  for  permission  to  raise 
his  friend  to  hfe,  and  assigned  as  a  reason,  tliat  he 
wished  to  convince  the  spectators  of  the  divinity  of 
his  mission :  "  Because  of  the  people  that  stand 
by  I  said  it,  that  they  may  believe  that  thou  hast 
sent  me."  And,  after  predicting  a  future  event, 
he  added,  "  Now  I  tell  you  before  it  come,  that 
when  it  is  come  to  pass,  ye  may  believe  that  I 
am  he."  Standing  alone  in  the  world,  he  was 
obliged  to  furnish  proofs  in  himself  that  he  was 
the  Sent  of  the  Father,  the  Saviour  long  promised, 
long  expected.  To  this  end  he  employed  miracle 
and  pr()j)]iecy,  as  the  best  adapted,  in  his  circum- 
. stance.'',  to  produce  tlie  desired  conviction.  But, 
when  he  was  about  to  leave  the  world,  he  selected 
another  kind  of  evidence,  that  should  be  per- 
manent and  intelligible  proof  of  the  Divine  origin 
pf  his  religion.  Addressing  his  followers,  ho  had 
said  :  "  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are 


80 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERnOOD. 


my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to  another;" 
thus  indicating  the  way  by  which  the  Avoiid  should 
ascertain  their  relation  to  their  Master.  But,  ad- 
dressing liis  Father  in  that  prayer  which  he  may 
Jiave  intended  as  a  specimen  of  his  sacerdotal 
intercession,  he  said :  "  Neither  pray  I  for  these 
alone,  but  for  them  also  which  shall  believe  on 
me  through  their  word ;  that  they  alt,  may  be 
one;  as  thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee, 
that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us  ;  that  the  world 

MAY   BELIEVE  THAT  THOTJ    HAST  SENT    ME."  And 

again,  immediately  after :  "  The  glory  which  thou 
gavest  me,  I  have  given  them  ;  that  they  may  be 
ONE,  even  as  we  are  one ;  I  in  tliem,  and  thou  in 
me,  tliat  they  may  be  made  perfect  in  one; 
and  that  the  world  may  know  that  thou  hast 
SENT  ME,  and  hast  loved  them  as  thou  hast  loved 
me."  This  oneness  of  Christians  would  be  some- 
thing new,  and  would  attract  attention.  Nothing 
of  the  kind  had  appeared  in  any  form  of  society, 
and  the  Saviour  knew  that  human  nature  would 
never  produce  an  association  of  unrelated  indi- 
viduals bound  together  entirely  by  love.  There 
was  notliing  analogous  to  it  in  paganism,  or  even 
Judaism.  A  people  drawn  together  from  all  nations 
and  all  classes ;  of  all  possible  temperaments,  all 
gradations  of  intelligCTice,  all  diversities  of  custom ; 
and  so  subdued  and  assimilated  in  tlicir  moral 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEEHOOD. 


81 


feelings  as  to  constitute  a  imity,  having  "one  heart 
and  one  soul,"  —  would  indeed  be  something  ex- 
traordinary,—  a  moral  wonder,  such  as  the  world 
had  never  seen,  and  such  as  woiild  cany  conviction 
to  the  most  reluctant  and  sceptical  of  the  presence 
.and  prevalence  of  a  supernatural  agency. 

In  this  exhibition  by  Christ  of  a  great  principle, 
we  have  a  key  that  opens  to  us,  in  part  at  least,  the 
secret  of  the  astonishing  success  of  the  early  Chris- 
tians. "Union  is  strength,"  says  every  one  capa- 
ble of  articulating  a  truism ;  and  when  it  is  ut- 
tered, the  main  idea  is  doubtless  physical.  Rivers 
united  form  the  mighty  Mississippi.  Snow-flakes 
united  form  the  irresistible  avalanche.  Atoms 
united  form  the  mountain  barrier.  Battalions 
united  form  the  a  ictorious  army.  States  and  prov- 
inces united  make  the  powerful  empire.  But  who 
remembers  that  the  mere  fact  of  union  may  in  itself, 
ajjart  from  all  action,  be  power?  Entirely  apart 
from  the  aiggressive  movements  of  the  primitive 
Christians,  —  apart  from  all  their  preaching,  ex- 
horting, jjruying,  —  tlicre  was  an  unconscious  influ- 
ence acting  upon  observers ;  their  afiectionate 
harmony,  their  oneness  of  spirit,  produced  upon 
the  world  impressions  favorable  to  their  character 
and  to  the  claims  of  their  religion.  As  the  result 
of  the  xmion,  multitudes  were  lei  to  think  bettor, 
not  only  of  them,  but  also  of  their  Master,  and  to 


82 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


02Jen  their  minds  the  more  candidly  and  recej^tively 
to  their  heavenly  message.  Tertullian  says  that 
this  fact  commanded  the  attention  of  their  enemies, 
and  called  forth  expressions  of  admiration ;  ^  and 
he  reckons  the  brotlicrly  love  and  concord  of  the 
Church  among  the  primary  elements  of  her  moral 
power.  Gibbon,  "whose  principal  work  is  enven- 
omed with  subtle  sneers  and  maUgnant  satires, 
aimed  at  a  religion  which  he  hated  the  more  the 
less  he  understood  it,  —  even  Gibbon,  in  his  at- 
tenii)ts  to  account  for  the  rapid  jDropagation  of 
early  Cliristianity,  —  a  fact  which  he  adniits  and 
endeavors  to  explain  Avithout  an  acknowledgment 
of  any  superhuman  agency,  —  assigns  a  number  of 
causes,  and  this  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  — 
the  union  that  subsisted  among  Christians.  Poor 
man !  why  did  ho  not,  in  a  manly  spirit,  examine 
the  nature  and  the  causes  of  that  remarkable  union  ? 
lie  perceived  the  relation  of  the  two  facts  as  ante- 
cedent and  consequent.  Christians  were  aiFection- 
ately  miited,  and  therefore  were  successful  wherever 
they  •went  with  their  message.  What  was  the  an- 
tecedent of  the  former  fact,  the  Christian  imion  to 
which  such  results  were  largely  attributable  ?  Tliere 
was  a  department  of  truth  which  depravity  was 
afraid  to  approach,  and  the  intellect,  restrained 

l"Viclc,  inqiiiuut,  ut  so  diliguut;  ct  pro  ultcriUro  mori  piirati 
sunt." 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


83 


by  the  heart,  left  it  untouched.  Therein  was  evi- 
dence of  the  Divine  origin  of  tlie  Cliristiau  system, 
and  to  call  that  witness  would  Ijc  fatal  to  his  case. 

Be  it  rerncrabei'ed,  that  so  long  as  Christians 
remained  united,  with  their  ranks  compact,  and 
their  efforts  directed  to  the  conversion  of  the 
world,  the  Church  commanded  the  world's  re- 
spect, and  she  went  on  increasing  in  numbers 
and  strength.  But  the  moment  the  sj^irit  of 
schism  found  admission,  and  she  became  divided, 
and  turned  her  weajjons  against  portions  of  her- 
self, she  was  dishonored  in  the  eyes  of  the  world, 
her  progress  was  retarded,  the  beginnings  of  her 
imbecility  were  ajiparent,  and  she  ceased  to  be 
a  reliable  witness  for  Christ. 

The  innumerable  divisions  and  bitter  contro- 
versies that  defaced  the  beauty  and  crippled  the 
energy  of  the  Christian  Church  during  the  fourth, 
fifth,  and  sixth  centuries,  prepared  the  way  for 
the  successes  of  the  false  prophet  of  Mecca,  and 
facilitated  the  triumphs  of  that  system  of  im- 
posture which,  even  now,  has  more  adherents 
than  the  Christianity  of  the  New  Testament. 
"  While  the  Church  was  one,"  says  Isaac  Tay- 
lor, "Christianity  spread,  or,  should  we  not  say, 
burst  over  the  world,  and  gathered  myriads  of 
converts  from  lands  within  and  far  beyond  the 


84 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


limits  of  the  Roman  empire.  WLcn  Cliristians 
became  factious,  ■when  other  names  than  the 
name  of  Christ  were  called  upon,  then  the  evan- 
gelical circle  drew  in  apace :  no  more  conquests 
were  made ;  or  they  were  conquests  purely  nom- 
inal; and,  ere  long,  the  fierce  AA^enger  of  the 
Lord's  qnari-el  with  his  Church,  breaking  bounds, 
sword  in  hand,  from  his  sultry  Arabian  sands, 
drove  the  distracted  flock  from  field  to  field,  until 
the  Christian  name  was  near  to  be  quite  lost  from 
the  world."  1 

"Who  that  has  ever  convei-sed  with  a  papist,  or 
read  a  Romish  book,  is  not  aware  that  a  standing 
objection  to  Protestantism  is  its  Avant  of  unity? 
"You,"  says  the  Romanist,  "are  not  one.  You 
are  divided  in  creed,  in  ritual,  in  organization,  in 
feeling.  In  all  these  resi)ccts  the  Catholic  Church 
is  one.  Agree  among  yourselves  in  faith,  in  com- 
munion, in  action,  before  you  ask  us  even  to  ex- 
amine your  theory."  However  remote  from  the 
truth  may  be  the  declaration  that  the  Catholic 
Church  is  so  completely  one,  and  however  objec- 
tionable may  be  her  seeming  unity,  resulting,  as 
it  docs,  froni  the  pressure  of  an  unjiaralleled 
spiritual  despotism,  still  the  argument  is  valid. 


1  Saturday  Evening,  pp.  330-7. 


CHRISTIAN  BUOTHERHOOD. 


85 


so  far  as  it  apjilies  to  Protestantism ;  and  Protes- 
tants should  know  and  feel  that,  by  continuing 
theii'  schisms  and  dissensions,  they  are  contribut- 
ing to  the  perpetuity  of  a  system  of  error  and 
superstition  which  they  profess  to  abhor,  and 
riveting  the  fetters  of  the  papacy  upon  millions 
of  enslaved  souls,  for  whose  redemption  they  pro- 
fess to  pray  and  labor,  i 

The  quarrels  and  alienations  that  prevailed 
among  the  Reformers  of  tlie  sixteenth  century, 
impeded  the  progress  of  the  Reformation,  and 
many  who  sincerely  desired  its  success,  were  so 
grieved  at  heart  by  these  unchristian  strifes,  that 
they  never  withdrew  from  the  mother  Cliurch. 
And,  ever  since,  not  a  year  has  passed  but  this 
same  argument  has  carried  many  a  proselyte  over 
to  Popery;  and  that  argument  —  call  it  as  you 
jjlease,  fair  or  foul,  legitimate  or  sophistical — is 
at  this  moment  successfully  urged  over  the  whole 

1  "The  Papal  bodj',  weak  in  its  nttcr  wanf  of  Rcriptnral  sup- 
port,—weak  in  its  idolatries,  its  practical  enormities,  and  its 
plain  hostility  to  the  Word  of  God,  — is  yet  strong  in  one  thing 
oidy,  that  it  moves  as  a  single  phalanx,  obedient  to  a  single  will. 
Wliatcver  it  wins,  it  wins  simply  through  onr  divisions.  That 
immense  mass  which  embraces  most  of  the  manhood  of  our 
country,  stands,  in  the  presence  of  these  divisions,  uncertain, 
ombarrusscd,  indifferent,  or,  at  least,  inactive."—  IlUlwp  Burgess. 
8 


86 


CHRISTIAN  BKOTHERHOOD. 


territory  of  Pi-otestant  Christendom;  and  never 
shall  we  dejirive  it  of  i^ower  for  evil  until  we  can 
show  that  we  are  truly  one,  not  only  in  our  pro- 
tests against  the  abominations  of  the  Man  of  Sin, 
but  also  in  our  views  of  truth,  our  Christian  prac- 
tice, and  our  fraternal  cooperation. 

Infidelity,  too,  has  availed  itself  of  our  divisions 
to  barb  and  poison  the  shafts  which  it  has  aimed 
at  the  life  of  Christianity.  This,  it  may  be  said, 
and  said  truly,  it  has  done  disingenuously  and 
maliciously;  but  the  fact  remains  unaltei-ed,  that 
we  have  furnished  fatal  occasion  to  the  disingen- 
uous and  malicious  to  pierce  and  inflame,  per- 
petrating damage  which  the  tears  of  all  living 
Christians  can  never  efface,  and  which  the  labors 
of  many  generations  of  the  holiest  can  never  re- 
pair. It  was  well  said  by  an  eminent  writer  of 
the  seventeenth  century,  and  it  is  still  deplorably 
ti'ue,  that  "  our  controversies  about  religion  have 
brought  even  religion  itself  into  controversy."^ 
And  our  attempts  to  apologize  for  our  diversi- 
ties of  religious  sentiment  and  practice,  by  the 
alleged  obscurity  of  Scripture  and  the  consequent 
innocence  of  contradicting  interpreters,  have  only 

1  Stillingflect's  Ironicum :  A  Wcapon-Salvo  for  the  Church's 
Wounds. 


CHRISTIAN  BltOTHERHOOD. 


87 


aggravated  the  evil  by  virtually  justifj-ing  the 
rejection  of  a  Book  that  is  so  equivocal  and  sus- 
ceptible of  such  a  variety  of  constructions. 

It  is  also  matter  of  painful  experience,  that  oar 
efforts  for  the  conversion  of  the  impenitent,  who 
are  not  jJrofessed  infidels,  are  the  more  ineffective 
in  consequence  of  our  divisions.  Even  though 
we  abstain  fi-om  disputes  and  criminations,  yet 
the  simple  fact  of  our  distribution  into  sects,  with 
every  one  its  lines  of  intrenchments,  and  its  posted 
sentinels,  and  its  system  of  Avatchwords,  is  held 
up  by  the  unbeliever  as  a  protective  shield  against 
every  argument,  every  appeal.  Says  Dr.  Carson: 
"The  differences  that  subsist  among  Christians 
are  among  the  chief  obstacles  to  the  progress  of 
the  gospel.  Scoffers  triumph  in  our  divisions, 
and  the  world  in  general  are  stumbled.  By  the 
existence  of  so  many  religious  sects,  unbelievers 
are  prejudiced  against  the  truth;  and  believers 
who  are  blended  with  worldly  Churches,  are  kept 
from  considering  the  duty  of  separation."^  How 
often,  in  our  conversation  with  individuals,  is  this 
fact  presented  by  them  in  resistance  of  our  ten- 
dercst  expostulations ;  so  that  wo  make  no  prog- 
ress till,  after  an  awkward  attempt  at  explana- 
tion which  seldom  satisfies  ourselves,  wc  have 


1  Reply  to  Dr.  F.iving,  1809. 


88 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


extorted  a  rcluctaut,  half-way  concession  that,  as 
sinners,  they  need  a  Saviour,  and  that  Christ  is 
the  Saviour  they  need.  We  allege,  with  truth, 
that  men  act  irrationally  when  they  assign  this 
fact  as  a  reason  why  they  should  not  honor  the 
claims  of  personal  religion.  As  well  might  they 
say  that  they  Avould  not  love  their  country,  and 
obey  its  laws,  because  there  are  rival  and  conflict- 
ing parties  in  politics.  As  well  might  they  refuse 
to  dine  until  all  the  clocks  in  town  strike  twelve 
together.  Their  conduct  in  this  matter  is  inex- 
cusably deficient  in  manliness,  and  tends  to  self- 
ruin.  The  fault  which  they  pervei'sely  employ  to 
their  own  destruction,  is  the  fault  of  Christians, 
and  not  of  the  Christianity  that  requires  of  all 
repentance,  faith,  and  a  holy  life.  But  still  the 
evil  is  none  the  less  real  or  pernicious,  because 
sinners  perversely  employ  it  to  their  own  undoing. 
We  blanic  them  for  the  suicide,  and  yet  supply 
the  M'capon  with  which  we  know  they  may  in- 
sanely take  the  life  of  their  souls.  Constituted  as 
jnan  is,  we  can  never  prevent  the  consequent  until 
we  witlulraw  the  well-known  antecedent.  And 
here,  my  brother,  let  me  refer  you  to  an  excel- 
lent charge  by  Bishop  Burgess  to  the  clergy  of 
his  diocese.  One  paragraph  I  cannot  forbear  to 
quote : 

"  Tlierc  is  a  blessing  which,  could  it  be  attained, 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


89 


would  remove  one  of  the  most  prevailing  obstacles 
to  cordial  conviction,  and  would  leave  to  the  Gos- 
pel such  power  as  it  has  not  known  for  centm-ies. 
It  is  the  blessing  of  Uxity.  If  yon  ask  of  twenty 
diflferent  men,  as  you  meet  them,  tlieir  reason  for 
delaying  or  refusing  obedience  to  the  commands 
of  Christianity,  ten  of  them,  if  not  fifteen,  will  ask 
in  return  how  they  can  be  expected  to  see  clearly 
where  guides  so  differ,  and  where  sects  and  churches 
contend  with  such  eagerness.  With  the  reasonable- 
ness or  even  sincerity  of  this  reply  we  are  not 
now  concerned ;  but  it  is  lamentable  that  it  can  be 
made  and  cannot  be  refuted.  It  is  a  spectacle  that 
should  arouse  the  Christians  of  this  land,  and 
compel  all  idle  strife,  at  least,  to  be  silent.  All 
of  us  feel  the  evil ;  but  most  of  us  despair  of  a 
remedy,  till  the  mighty  Spirit  of  God  shall  cause 
U8  to  see  eye  to  eye,  iw.d  produce  an  uniformity  of 
persuasion,  which  till  now  has  not  existed,  since 
at  the  Reformation  the  Bible  was  thrown  open. 
To  indulge  in  idle  projects  would  indeed  avail 
little ;  yet,  amongst  the  many  speculations  of  our 
time,  few  might  be  more  harmless  than  those 
which  sliould  be  directed  towards  Christian  union 
and  unity ;  and  if  .some  .sagacious  minds  were  em- 
ployed in  actual  efforts  for  its  attainment,  the 
recollection  would  not  be  bitter  to  them  in  advanc- 
ing years,  nor  M-ould  tlie  story  be  told  with  dis- 


90 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


honoi"  in  coming  ages.  It  is  time  that  this  "weapon 
were  withdrawn  from  the  hands  of  the  enemy." 

It  is  no  nnnsnal  thing  for  the  strifes  and  con- 
flicts of  two  or  more  denominations  whose  dilFer- 
ences  of  creed  are  not  great,  to  give  birth  to 
organized  forms  of  fatal  error,  and  to  supply  the 
nutriment  by  which  they  thrive  and  overgrow  the 
products  of  evangelical  truth.  Noxious  vegeta- 
tion rises  into  the  rankest  luxuriance  on  battle- 
fields where  the  soil  is  enriched  by  the  blood  and 
bones  of  fallen  combatants.  Siiow  me  the  sjiots, 
on  either  hemisphere,  where  Christians  have  the 
most  fiercely  battered  and  bruised  one  another,  or 
where  tlicy  wlio  had  every  reason  for  living  peace- 
ably together  iiave  indulged  in  petty  controver- 
sies about  secondary  interests,  and  I  will  show  you 
the  spots  Avhere  the  Avorst  errors  are  the  most 
deeply  rooted  and  bear  the  most  poisonous  fruits. 

In  your  journeying  you  come  in  siglit  of  a  beau- 
tiful valley,  in  Avhich,  along  a  single  street,  is  a 
village  of  a  hundred  houses,  sonic  of  stone,  some 
of  brick,  but  mostly  of  wood,  and  interspersed 
with  the  offices  of  professional  men,  the  stores  of 
merchants,  the  shops  of  artisans,  and  school-houses. 
Through  that  valley  meanders  a  stream  that  has 
its  head  in  a  mountain  lake,  and  is  for  miles  a 
brawling  torrent,  dashing  wildly  over  rocks  and 


CHRISTIAN   BROTHERHOOD.  91 

dams,  and  affording  power  for  the  driving  of  j^ro- 
ductive  machinery ;  but  here  it  quietly  moves 
between  banks  that  are  dotted  witt  clumps  of 
bushes,  and  shaded  by  many  a  stately  elm  or  but- 
ton-wood. The  valley  is  skirted  on  both  sides  by 
hills,  whose  sides  are  highly  cultivated,  and  at 
whose  bases  are  gentle  slopes  and  alluvial  mead- 
ows richly  burdened  with  the  green  or  the  golden 
products  of  industry  waving  in  the  western  breeze. 
From  the  summit  of  one  of  these  hills  you  con- 
template the  scene,  and  admire.  Surely,  you  think, 
Johnson  must  have  stood  here  before  he  wrote 
that  luscious  description  of  "  The  Happy  Valley." 
Behind  you  are  mountains  through  whose  passes 
you  have  threaded  your  Avay;  across  the  valley, 
in  the  blue  distance,  are  other  jnountains  whose 
precipitous  sides  you  are  to  climb  to-morrow. 
But  you  are  thinking  of  neither  the  past  nor  the 
future ;  you  are  enchanted  by  the  present.  The 
vale  at  your  feet,  rich  in  natural  beauty,  has  de- 
rived from  art  additional  loveliness ;  and,  as  you 
gaze,  you  wonder  if  the  Old  World  can  furnish 
a  view  of  equal  cliarins.  From  the  midst  of  the 
cluster  of  dwellings,  now  embowered  in  the  richest 
mid-summer  foliage,  there  loom  up  in  dignified 
prominence  three  edifices,  differing  in  shape,  di- 
mensions, and  color,  and  you  at  once  recognize 
them  as  devoted  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  Clod. 


92 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


Not  knowing  the  extent  of  the  population  in  the 
vicinity,  find  supjDosing,  quite  naturally,  that  the 
supply  is  created  by  actual  demand,  you  conclude 
that  the  moral  scenery  before  you  is  only  the  coun- 
terpart of  the  physical.  "  Happy  people  !  "  you 
exclaim ;  "  how  liberal  the  provision  for  thy  sjMr- 
itual  culture !  Here,  surely,  Piety  has  her  cher- 
ished home !  Here  the  fruits  of  holiness  abound  ! 
And  if  there  bo  contention  in  heaven,  it  must  be 
as  to  who  of  all 

'  The  spirits  in  bliss 
Shall  bow  their  bright  wings  to  a  scene  such  as  this,' 

and  here  fulfil  their  ministry  to  the  heirs  of  sal- 
vation !  " 

I  grieve,  my  brother,  to  break  that  delicious  en- 
chantment. But  what  says  history  ?  Within  the 
memory  of  the  middle-aged  there  was  in  that  vil- 
lage but  one  place  of  Avorship,  and  that  was  of 
sufficient  cajiacity  to  accommodate  all  in  the  town- 
ship. Its  pulpit  was  respectably  filled  by  a  man 
of  unquestioned  piety,  and  sound  evangelical  prin- 
ciples; and  of  his  im2>artiality  and  industry  as  a 
pastor  no  one  had  occasion  to  comjjlain.  In  pro- 
cess of  time,  another  denomination,  diflering  by 
only  a  few  faint  shades  from  the  former,  found 
favor  with  some  of  the  people,  and  a  house  of 


CHKISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


93 


worship  was  erected,  partly  by  foreign  aid,  and 
a  preacher  of  fair  ability  was  settled.  The  result, 
of  course,  was  division,  followed  by  a  perturbed 
state  of  the  social  elements,  Avarra  discussion,  acri- 
monious debate,  calumnious  reports,  irritated  feel- 
ings, disruption  of  friendships,  embittered  aliena- 
tions, and  all  the  unlovely  effects  of  partisan  war- 
fare. These  two  Churches  agreed  in  everything 
fundamental  to  the  «oiU's  salvation;  and  yet,  as 
you  have  often  seen  illustrated,  the  strength  of 
their  antipathy  seemed  to  be  inversely  as  the 
square  of  their  distance  theologically  from  each 
other.  J]ach  minister  regarded  himself  as  "  set 
for  the  defence "  of  those  points  in  which  he  dif- 
fered from  the  other,  and  to  them  he  devoted- many 
a  week  of  study  and  many  a  carefully  prepared 
sermon.  Their  adherents,  with  belligerent  heads, 
and-  hearts,  and  tongues,  rallied  around  tlioir  re- 
spective leaders,  and  pushed  them  on  to  the  conflict. 
A  proselyting  spirit  became  rife;  and  if  an  indi- 
vidual changed  sides,  he  was  hailed  by  tiie  favored 
party  as  an  important  acquisition,  and  decried  by 
the  deserted  jiarty  as  no  loss  to  be  regretted.  If, 
by  the  great  grace  of  God,  a  person  was  converted, 
he  was  sure  to  be  visited  by  both  ministers,  and 
all  the  deacons,  and  no  pains  were  spared,  on  either 
side,  to  induce  him  to  join  "  our  Church."  If  a 
new  iiimily  came  to  reside  in  the  place,  they  M  ere 


94 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


invited  to  attend  "  our  meeting,"  and  by  both  par- 
ties inducements  M^ere  oftered,  siicli  as  a  pew  fm-- 
nished,  exemption  fi-om  taxes,  and  even  denomina- 
tional patronage  in  secular  business.  All  this  was 
accompanied  by  abundance  of  complimentary  re- 
marks touching  our  minister,  o^«•  meeting-house, 
our  singing,  our  Sabbath  School,  and  the  class  of 
people  in  our  congregation ;  and  as  certainly  by 
a  superabundance  of  detractive  hints  with  respect 
to  everything  pertaining  to  the  other  society. 
At  length,  one  of  the  societies  concluded  to  erect 
a  new  liouse  of  worship,  and  the  subscri^^tion  for 
the  purpose,  though  deficient  by  one  third  of 
the  estimated  cost,  was  so  large  that  few,  with- 
out inconvenience,  could  redeem  their  jiledges.  A 
spacious  edifice,  with  a  lofty  steejile,  was  erected 
and  dedicated,  with  a  heavy  mortgage  upon  it. 
A  bell,  the  largest  in  the  county,  was  mounted 
in  the  belfry,  and  for  a  whole  day  was  made  to 
send  its  echoes  among  the  hills,  taunting,  Avitli 
iron  tongue,  tlie  humbled  and  mortified  occupants 
of  the  smaller  and  less  fashionable  sanctuary.  This 
was  too  much  to  be  quietly  endured.  The  pride 
of  sect  Avas  touched  in  a  tender  point,  and  it  was 
at  once  i-esolved  not  to  be  outdone,  but  to  outdo. 
Another  season  the  other  society  would  have  a 
meeting-house  a  little  better  than  the  boasted  best. 
They  were  as  good  as  their  word ;  for  what  can- 


CnRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD.  95 

not  the  sectarian  spirit  do?  —  what,  excej^t  in- 
fluence mankind  to  love  God  and  one  another? 
No  matter  for  the  expense ;  no  matter  for  a  debt 
which  shoukl  hang  for  years  to  their  ueclc  like  a 
millstone;  no  matter  for  anything  but  successful 
rivalry.  The  comer  stone  was  laid  with  a  floui  ish ; 
the  house  went  np,  one  foot  longer  and  six  inches 
wider  than  the  other.*  The  steeple  stretched  its 
triangular  points  two  feet  farther  towards  the 
physical  heavens  than  its  far-reaching  neighbor. 
A  bell  ten  pounds  heavier  than  the  other,  and  of 
**micch  better  tone,"  was  balanced  aloft,  and  for 
many  a  noisy  hour  was  made  to  retort  the  provo- 
cation which  had  been  neither  forgix  en  nor  for- 
gotten. Well!  there  they  are,  two  large  and 
beautiful  houses,  either  of  sufficient  capacity  for 
the  wants  of  the  entire  population.  The  one  has 
green  blinds  on  the  outside,  and  the  other  is 
frescoed  inside;  the  one  has  a  rosewood  pulpit, 
and  the  othfcr  has  an  organ;  the  one  has  gothic 
windows,  and  the  other  has  a  colonnade  in  front. 
The  ])reachers  prepare  their  ablest  discourses,  the 
bells  aro  rung,  and  the  people  collect,  eyeing  one 
another  askance  as  they  jsass  in  opj)osite  direc- 
tions; but  seldom  is  either  house  more  than  one- 
\ 

third  filled  with  hearers. 

'  I  know  two  oliurcli  edifices,  thus  built  in  rivalrj',  where  tho 
dimeuHions  differed  only  one  inch  each  way. 


96 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEKHOOD. 


Just  at  this  point  a  man  of  gi'eat  self-assurance 
and  a  flippant  tongue  comes  along,  and  ajipoints 
a  Sabbath  sen  ice  in  the  school-house,  where  he 
proposes  to  advocate  a  system  of  doctrine  derived 
from  any  source  other  than  the  Word  of  God. 
For  several  years  thei'e  had  been  a  few  individuals 
in  the  j^lace  who  were  inclined  to  that  belief,  and 
who,  in  the  midst  of  the  strifes  that  had  raged 
around  them,  had  acquired  increased  dislike  of 
evangelical  religion  and  its  professors.  The  meet- 
ing Avas  fully  attended,  and  the  preacher  Avas 
invited  to  leave  another  appointment.  His  the- 
ory was  cajjtiA'ating ;  he  made  the  way  of  life 
broad,  and  heaven  of  easy  attainment.  The  re- 
sult Avas,  that  Avithin  a  year  a  society  was  formed 
around  this  man,  whom  both 'the  preexistent  soci- 
eties agreed,  without  meaning  to  agree,  to  i>to- 
nounce  "  an  intruder."  Many,  disgusted  with  the 
dissensions  by  which  the  community  had  been 
lacerated  and  inflamed,  readily  fell  into  the  new 
organization,  knowing  little  and  caring  less  Axhat 
tenets  or  morals  they  might  be  encouraging.  The 
young  people,  attracted  by  novelty  as  well  a.s  by 
the  license  to  sin  Avhich  the  ncAV  doctrine  gave 
them,  were  inclined  in  that  direction ;  and  thus, 
by  various  means,  the  third  party  were  strength- 
ened and  soon  enabled  to  provide  a  temple  of 
their  own.    In  the  meantime,  the  two  Churches, 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEEHOOD. 


97 


led  on  hy  tlieir  ministers,  reproached  and  crim- 
inated each  other  as  the  occasion  of  this  pestilent 
intrusion,  damaging  to  both;  and  the  belligerent 
spirit  took  on  new  forms,  only  to  alienate  still 
more  of  their  supjjorters  and  turn  the  balance 
against  themselves  by  supplying  Tecruits  to  tlie 
common  enemy. 

"The  peaceful  Spirit,  like  a  dove, 
Flies  from  the  rciilms  of  noise  and  strife." 

In  that  community,  practical  godliness  is  little 
known.  Revivals  have  been  infrequent,  very  lim- 
ited in  extent,  very  superficial,  very  equivocal  in 
the  character  of  their  fi-uits.  The  few  who  love 
the  truth  are  disheartened,  and  the  people  gen- 
erally ai-e  the  contemners  of  Christ  and  his  claims. 

That,  my  enamored  brother,  is  the  moral  inte- 
rior of  a  scene  upon  which  you  are  lavishing  your 
encomiums ;  and,  while  you  are  so  benevolently 
fancying  that  it  must  be  the  favorite  resort  of  the 
heavenly  visitants,  the  angel  of  the  pit  is  there, 
flapping  his  dark  wings  over  the  place,  and  scream- 
ing, in  irony,  "See,  how  these  Christians  love  one 
another ! " 

This  sketch,  if  compared  Avith  the  state  of  things 
in  many  communities,  may  justly  be  considered 
as  exaggerated;  but,  in  its  general  features,  it 
9 


98 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


answers  for  hundi-eds  of  places,  foirly  exhibiting 
the  practical  workings  of  the  sectarian  spirit,  and 
showing  how  disastrous  arc  its  effects,  not  only 
upon  Christian  character,  but  Christian  usefulness. 
Multitudes  are  disaffected,  then  filled  with  J^i'eju- 
dices,  then  alienated  from  public  worship,  and 
made  the  easy  prey  of  "seducing  spirits  that  lie 
in  wait  to  deceive,"  and  lead  their  victims  in  a 
mass  to  perdition.  Even  if  the  prejudiced  and 
repelled  assume  no  organized  form,  and  rally 
around  no  heretical  standard,  they  become  the 
desi^isers  of  the  Christian  profession,  the  con- 
temners of  experimental  religion,  the  open  vio- 
laters  of  the  Sabbath,  the  scornful  ncglecters  of 
all  the  means  of  grace,  and,  so  far  r.s  human 
agency  is  concerned,  utterly  unapproachable,  in- 
vulnerable. Tlie  question  is,  indeed,  a  fearful 
one:  Where  lies  the  responsibility?  "We  may 
lay  the  whole  at  the  door  of  human  depravity ; 
but  whence  comes  the  aliment  upon  which  de- 
pravity and  error  thus  fatten  and  thrive?  One 
party,  and  another  j^arty,  may  say,  "We  are  not 
in  the  fault."  Satan  takes  care,  for  the  present, 
to  reproach  none  of  us,  and  pronounces  us  his 
most  efficient  coadjutors.  But  what  is  the  de- 
cision of  Him,  who  says,  "  See  that  ye  love  one 
another  with  a  pure  heart  fervently?"  All  par- 
tics,  and  certainly  all  persons,  may  not  be  equally 


CHKISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


99 


culpable;  but  whicli  is  the  clcnomination  to  whom, 
in  this  department,  he  might  not  say,  "I  have 
somewhat  against  thee?" 

All  the  sects,  properly  entitled  to  the  name  of 
Christian,  are  engaged,  Avith  more  or  less  zeal,  in 
efforts  to  propagate  the  gospel  among  the  heathen, 
—  a  service  quite  similar  in  its  aims  to  that  which 
proved  the  devotedness,  and  absorbed  the  re- 
sources, of  the  jirimitive  Church.  But,  unlike 
to  that  Church,  they  are  going  forth  in  separate 
bands,  with  every  one  its  distinctive  name,  sys- 
tem of  belief,  and  mode  of  ecclesiastical  orsan- 
ization.  Considerable  success  has  attended  the 
labors  of  them  all,  and  all  have  now  their  Churches 
composed  of  converts  from  heathenism.  It  is  not 
apparent  that  God  has  made  any  distinction  in 
the  matter  of  success,  on  tlie  ground  of  the  ir  de- 
nominational peculiarities.  They  preach  Christ, 
and  the  Holy  Spirit  gives  them  souls  renewed 
as  the  fruits  of  their  fidelity.  For  the  present, 
the  converts  are  happily  ignorant  of  Protestant 
schisms.  But  not  very  remote  is  the  day  when 
they  will  become  ac(piainted  Avith  the  discred- 
itable fact,  that  those  who  have  so  benevolently 
come  thousands  of  miles  to  Impart  to  them  the 
gospel,  are  divided  among  themselves;  that  they 
inteq^rct  differently  some  parts  of  the  Book  which 


100 


CHRISTIAN  BEOTHEKHOOD. 


they  allege  to  be  inspired;  and  that  those  who 
sent  and  snjiport  them  are  separated  into  sects 
which  refuse  to  cooperate,  and  are  not  on  terms 
of  cordial  fcllowshij).  Xaturally  inquisitive,  they 
will  inquire  into  the  facts,  and  insist  upon  expla- 
nation. How  shall  they  be  satisfied  ?  It  will  be 
a  sad  day  for  the  missionary,  when  he  must  dis- 
close the  real  truth,  and  make  an  eftbrt  to  trans- 
form his  simple-hearted  brethren  from  Christians 
into  sectarians.  They  have  read  in  their  own 
tongue  the  Gospels  and  the  Epistles,  so  kindly 
translated  for  them,  and  the  impression  thence 
derived  is  that  believers  in  Christ  are  one.  The 
lessons  and  the  petitions  of  Jesus  upon  this  sub- 
ject they  have  committed  to  memory.  The  pic- 
ture drawn  by  Luke  of  the  unanimity  and  afiec- 
tion  of  the  primitive  Church,  has  filled  them  with 
admiration.  The  teachings  of  the  Apostles,  with 
respect  to  brotherly  love  and  mutual  forbearance, 
they  have  regai-ded  as  beautifully  adapted  to  pro- 
duce tipon  earth  a  miniature  heaven.  But  facts 
are  now  developed,  strangely  at  variance  with 
the  impressions  which  they  have  received  from 
the  New  Testament.  They  learn  the  state  of 
things  in  those  fiU'-ofi"  lands  which  the  missiona- 
ries, for  their  sakes,  have  left  behind.  They  be- 
come acquainted,  too,  with  the  differences,  both 
of  belief  and  practice,  that  exist  among  the  mis- 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD.  101 

sionaries  of  the  various  denominations.  They  are 
startled;  they  are  perplexed;  they  are  grieved. 
"Is  Christ  divided?"  "No,  no;"  is  the  prompt, 
unanimous  reply.  "Why,  then,  are  you  divided? 
Why  are  v:e  divided?  Whence  these  party  names? 
If  there  be  but  one  Lord,  why  are  there  more  than 
one  faith  and  one  baptism?"  These  questions 
will  yet  be  proposed,  and  all  missionaries  must  be 
prepared  to  meet  them.  Who  can  foresee  the 
results  ?  Will  none  of  the  converts  acquire  from 
their  explaining  teachers  either  'the  spirit  or  the 
tactics  of  party?  Will  none  of  them  lose  con- 
fidence in  their  new-found  religion,  and  decline 
in  their  zeal  for  its  diffusion  among  their  coun- 
trj'raep?  And  when  the  unconverted  heathen 
shall  come  to  learn  the  facts  as  they  arc,  will  they 
not,  more  captiously  than  ever,  object  to  an  ex- 
change of  their  religion  for  another  whose  charac- 
ter and  tendencies  are  thus  practically  exhibited  ? 
A  valuable  American  missionary,  foreseeing  this 
inevitable  evil,  has  proposed  a  rule  of  action  to 
be  observed  by  all  sects,  which,  he  thinks,  would 
result  in  the  greatest  benefit  to  the  Church  and 
the  world.  "In  selecting  their  spheres  of  ac- 
tion," says  Mr.  Abeel,  "let  each  denomination  ])ass 
by  the  places  already  occupied,  and  fix  upon  those 
where  their  services  are  most  needed.  Let  it  bo 
a  mutual  understanding,  that  if  education  or  i)re- 
0* 


102  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


dilection  dispose  the  inhabitants  of  any  part  of 
a  country  to  a  j^articular  sect,  all  others  will  yield 
the  ground."  There  is  i)lausibility  in  this  pro- 
posal ;  it  is  kind  in  S2)irit ;  and  you,  my  brother, 
will  inquire  why  the  exjDerimeut  should  not  first 
be  tried  in  our  home-field.  But  creditably  cour- 
teous as  would  be  such  an  arrangement  for  the 
distribution  of  heathen  territory,  it  Avould  only 
postpone  the  development  of  fiicts  which  must 
ultimately  be  known,  and  the  result  would  be 
such  an  extension  of  our  divisions,  geograph- 
ically, as  would  greatly  diminish  the  feasibility, 
and  render  more  remote  the  prospect,  of  an  ulti- 
mate and  hajipy  adjustment  of  onr  differences. 
Perhaps  the  excellent  brother  who  expects  from 
the  application  of  this  rule  "the  most  desirable 
consequences,"  anticipates  that  before  there  should 
be  any  actual  infringement  by  one  denomination 
upon  the  territory  of  another,  the  ju-cdicted  and 
Ipoked-for  millennial  period  will  have  arrived,  in 
which  shall  be  restored  the  glad  scenes  of  prim- 
itive harmony  and  fellowshij).  Happy  anticipa- 
tion !  But,  alas !  liow  ill  adapted  to  the  produc- 
tion of  universal  fraternity  and  concord  is  the 
process  of  extending  party  lines,  till,  like  the 
great  circles  of  the  astronomer,  they  shall  not 
only  encompass  the  globe,  but  reach  the  heavens ! 
What  progress  arc  we  likely  to  make  towards  the 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


103 


desirable  union,  while  the  walls  of  separation  are 
continually  strengthened,  every  party  fortifying 
them  on  its  own  side? 

The  injurious  tendency  of  our  sectarian  divis- 
ions, to  which  I  now  refer  as  likely  to  be  devel- 
oped in  the  field  of  our  Foreign  Missionary  opera- 
tions, is  painfully  apprehended  by  many  of  the 
missionaries  themselves,  —  by  all  who  are  placed 
in  circumstances  that  direct  their  attention  to  the 
subject.  Where  laborers  of  different  denomina- 
tions occupy  the  same  field,  as  in  large  cities,  and 
have  formed  Churches  side  by  side,  they  have 
felt  so  deejily  the  importance  of  producing  upon 
all  around  the  conviction  of  their  substantial  one- 
ness, as  to  be  constrained  to  pursue  a  line  of  con- 
duct to  which  they  had  never  been  accustomed 
at  home,  and  for  which  they  have  supposed  it 
not  improbable  they  might  incur  the  animadver- 
sion of  their  distant  supporters.  I  do  not  suggest 
a  suspicion  that  they  have  acted  insincerely,  or 
that  they  have  sacrificed  the  conA-ictions  of  con- 
science upon  the  altar  of  expediency.  They  were 
honest  before  God,  and  did  what  they  were  sure 
would  be  pleasing  to  him.  I  mention  the  fact 
merely  to  show  how  deep  is  the  impression  upon 
the  minds  of  those  who  are  in  circumstances  to 
appreciate  the  argument,  that  the  divisions  among 
Christians  are  unfavorable  to  their  influence  over 
the  heathen. 


104 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


No  Christian,  I  presume,  desires  that  the  piety 
of  the  present  generation  of  believers  should  be 
transferred  to  the  pagan  ■world.  On  the  con- 
trary, it  is  matter  of  fervent  prayer  that  the  mould 
into  which  the  converts  from  heathenism  might 
be  cast,  should  be  more  after  the  iirimitive  jjat- 
tern,  including  all  the  elements  of  a  higher  order 
of  piety  than  ours ;  a  stronger  faith,  a  deeper 
humility,  a  warmer  love,  a  greater  deadness  to 
the  world,  and  a  fuller  consecration  of  all  to 
Chi'ist.  Is  any  Christian  willing  to  have  the  sec- 
tarian divisions  witli  which  we  are  familiar,  ex- 
tended to  Asia,  Africa,  and  the  Isles  of  the  Sen, 
and  to  have  reenacted  there  the  competitions  and 
strifes  of  Protestant  Europe  and  America?  The 
idea  is  to  me  inexpressibly  painful  and  revolting ; 
and,  while  I  would  ask  no  body  of  Christians  to 
intei'mit  their  efforts  for  the  evangelization  of  the 
heathen,  but  would  urge  them  onward  by  all  the 
motives  which  can  be  derived  from  the  command 
of  Christ,  the  value  of  the  soul,  and  tlie  retribu- 
tions of  eternity,  I  would,  nevertheless,  importune 
them,  by  the  love  of  the  Saviour,  and  by  their 
duty  to  posterity,  not  to  transfer  to  pagan  lands, 
and  therefore  not  to  perpetuate  at  liome,  an  evil 
so  manifestly  unchristian,  and  so  fatally  charged 
with  pernicious  elements. 

I  may  be  reminded  that  the  various  dcnomina- 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


105 


tions,  however  divided  and  debilitated,  are  doing 
much  and  purposing  to  do  more  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  world ;  and  that,  notwithstanding 
then-  disunion,  God  blesses  their  endeavors,  and 
makes  their  labors  effective,  so  that  in  no  century 
since  the  decease  of  the  apostles  has  Chiistianity 
achieved  such  extensive  triumphs  as  we  are  per- 
mitted to  witness.  All  this  is  readily  conceded; 
and  with  any  brother  I  will  bow  my  knees  in 
devout  gratitude  to  the  God  of  all  grace  for  every 
fact  which  he  may  produce  from  this  department. 
But  if  he  wishes  me  to  conclude  from  such  prem- 
ises that  our  schisms  are  not  sci'iously  interfering 
with  our  Christian  efficiency,  and  may  be  tolerated 
as  a  minor  evil,  I  must  respectfully  plead  non 
sequitur.,  and  remonstrate  with  Jiiin,  not  only  for 
tl»e  illegitimacy  of  his  logic,  but  also  for  the  ob- 
jectionable condition  of  his  moral  feelings.  He 
is  not  ignorant  of  what  the  New  Testament  re- 
quires of  Christians  as  to  both  sjjirit  and  conduct. 
He  knows  the  validity  of  the  argument  drawn 
from  the  extraordinary  successes  of  the  primitive, 
missionary,  united  Church.  He  is  aware  that, 
mainly  as  a  consequence  of  our  divisions  and  con- 
troversies, ]\roIiammedanism,  Popery,  and  Irrc- 
ligion  still  divide  the  more  enlightened  portions 
of  the  world  among  themselves.  lie  can  number 
the  disciples  of  reformed  Christianity,  and  leara 


106 


CHIilSTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


for  himself  that  they  still  remain  an  insignificant 
minority.  He  will  surely  admit  that  the  spirit 
of  disunion,  "by  confirming  the  irreligious  in  their 
impiety,  disheartening  the  sincere  inquirer  after 
truth,  and  blinding  numbers  with  the  idea  that 
the  sectarian  spirit  is  true  piety,  is  still  ruinous 
to  the  souls  of  men ;  and  that,  by  dividing  our 
limited  instrumentality  at  home,  and  tending  to 
counteract  our  Christian  influence  abroad,  and, 
incomparably  more  than  all,  by  gi-ieving  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  God,  it  is  still  enfeebling  and  endan- 
gering our  missionary  operations,  and  delaying 
the  conversion  of  the  world."  ^  And  will  he  de- 
liberately suggest  considerations  to  show  the  com- 
parative harmlessnoss  or  innocence  of  an  evil  that 
he  ought  to  condemn?  Will  ho  plead  for  miti- 
gation of  sentence,  or  ask  me  to  soften  the  tone 
of  unqualified  rebuke?  lie  and  I  are  involved 
in  the  consequences  of  this  evil.  May  we  not  be 
responsible  for  its  continuance ! 

Both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe  I  have 
heard  addresses  upon  anniversary  platforms,  in 
which  very  charming  things  were  said  touching 
the  "incidental  benefits  of  sectarian  rivalries  and 
comi)etitions;"  and  could  I  have  felt  that  the 

1  Rev.  Dr.  Harris's  Prize  Essay  on  Christiixn  Union. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


107 


speakers  were  not  obsequiously  flattering  those 
I  with  whom  they  refused  all  visible  fellowship,  and 
were  not  endeavoring  to  relieve  themselves  from 
!  the  conscious  awkwai'dness  of  a  position  of  seem- 
'  ing  union  to  •which  their  previous  conduct  supplied 
I  no  fair  counteqiart,  and  with  which  they  did  not 
expect  that  their  future  course  would  harmonize, 
I  should  have  had  more  respect  for  their  sin- 
cerity, and  probably  been  more  enraptured  by 
their  declamation.    Incidental  benefits  of  secta- 
I  nan  rivalries  and  competitions!    Fine  theme  for 
1  a  Christian  minister  when  facing  an  audience  of 
I  thousands,  and  j^leading  the  claims  of  the  cruci- 
1  fied  Saviour,  the  obligations  of  his  redeemed  and 
i  consecrated  Church,  and  the  wants  of  millions 
I  perishing  in  sin !    Apologizing  for  a  wrong  which 
!  Christ  abhors,  which  for  fifteen  centuries  has 
I  been  the  defonnity  and  disgrace  of  Christianity, 
I  and  which  is  at  present,  however  modified,  a 
'  prime  curse  of  the  Church!    How  much  more 
I  consistent  with  the  dignity  of  his  ofiice,  and  the 
li  proprieties  of  the  occasion,  to  present  the  Cross, 
;  and,  taking  his  own  position  the  nearest  to  it, 
J  summon  us  by  the  miseries  of  humanity,  by  the 
i!  solemnities  of  the  judgment,  by  the  woes  of  the 
i  lost,  by  the  felicities  of  the  saved,  and  more  than 
I  all,  by  the  agonies  and  the  blood  of  Calvary,  to 
join  liira  in  renewed  consecration  of  body,  soul 

(j 
i 


108 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


and  spirit,  time,  talent  and  Avealth,  to  the  work 
of  saving  a  guilty,  ruined  race!  Incidental  ben- 
efits of  division,  disunion,  alienation  among  the 
disciples  of  Jesus,  all  jointly  and  severally  ex- 
pectants of  a  heavenly  inheritance !  O,  man  of 
God!  tell  us  rather  of  the  blessed  effects  of  una- 
nimity of  sentiment,  similarity  of  practice,  prev- 
alence of  brotherly  love,  holy  consolidation  into 
one  Apostolic  Church,  with  one  name,  one  heart, 
one  way,  one  object,  affectionately  cooperating 
in  the  Master's  service.  Tell  us  of  that  desirable 
period  when  the  Church  shall  become  all  that  the 
prophets  predicted,  all  that  the  Saviour  desired, 
all  that  the  apostles  labored  to  make  her.  Tliere 
is  to  be  such  a  period,  when  "the  light  of  the 
moon  shall  be  as  the  light  of  tlic  sun;  and  the 
light  of  the  sun  seven-fold,  as  the  light  of  seven 
days ; "  and  that  shall  be  "  in  the  day  that  the 
LoKD  bindeth  up  the  breach  op  his  people, 

AND   UEALETII    THE    STROKE    OP    TIIEIK  WOUND." 

Tell  us,  servant  of  Jesus,  what  shall  be  the  spirit- 
ual glories  of  those  "last  days,"  when  "the  moun- 
tain of  the  Lord's  house  shall  be  established  on 
the  toj)  of  the  mountains  and  exalted  above  the 
lulls,  and  all  nations  shall  How  unto  it."  Tell  us 
of  the  period  of  the  Church's  unity,  and  what  are 
the  signs  of  its  coming.  Tell  us  how  she  will 
appear,  and  what  she  will  do,  when  she  shall  be 


CHEISTIAX   BKOTHEKHOOD.  109 

eordially,  really  one  in  Christ,  lier  living,  ruling 
Head.  "  Clothed  with  the  sun,"  what  will  be  her 
influence  upon  a  dark  and  sterile  world?  Com- 
prehending within  herself,  by  virtue  of  her  union 
■\vith  her  Lord,  all  the  elements  of  moral  might; 
"  endued,  as  of  old,  with  power  from  on  high ; " 
how  rapidly  will  her  conquests  be  achieved,  and 
the  seventh  angel  be  permitted  to  sound,  and 
great  voices  be  heard  on  high,  proclaiming  that 
**the  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ,  and  he 
shall  reign  forever  and  ever ! " 

10 


110 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


III. 

SOME  METHODS  BY  WHICH  OUR  OWN  DENOMINA- 
TION MAY  PROBABLY  CONTRIBUTE  TO  THE  PRO- 
MOTION OF  CHRISTIAN  FRATERNITY. 

I  COME  now,  dear  brother,  to  tlic  consideration 
of  a  branch  of  my  subject  that  is  chiefly  practical. 
Let  us  again  how  together  before  "  the  Father  of 
lights,"  and  beseech  him,  for  the  Saviour's  sake, 
to  bestow  upon  us  liberally  that  illuminating  and 
sanctifying  Influence  which  alone  can  load  us  into  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  his  perfect  will,  and  incline 
our  hearts  to  do  whatsoever  may  appear  to  be  duty. 
"Tlie  meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment;  and  the 
meek  will  he  teach  his  Avay." 

I  suppose  that  we,  as  a  denomination,  may  not 
take  it  for  granted  that  we  are  wholly  free  frona 
responsibility  touching  the  prevalent  disunion  of 
Christians,  or  that  we  have  nothing  to  do  towards 
the  healing  of  the  breaches  that  have  so  long  and 
so  injuriously  divided  the  jieople  of  God.  We 
may  not  be  wrong  to  an  extent  that  will  require 
general  or  even  a  partial  recession  from  the  trusted 
platform  on  which  our  ecclesiastical  organizations 
have  so  long  imuioval)ly  reposed.    As  I  have  not 


CHKISTIAN  BKOTHERHOOD. 


Ill 


intermeddled  witli  the  fundamental  principles  of 
other  denominations,  so  I  shall  leave  ours  un- 
touched ;  and,  in  pursuing  this  course,  I  am  influ- 
enced, not  only  by  an  unwillingness  to  bring  con- 
stitutional questions  into  the  discussion,  but  also 
by  the  clear  conviction,  that,  until  some  previous 
matters  shall  have  received  careful  attention,  not 
one  of  the  denominations  will  be  prepared  even 
to  examine  sjiecific  plans  of  union.  Such  plans 
have  already  been  projioscd ;  but,  as  they  have 
generally  commenced  with  the  assumption  that 
the  proposing  party  is  right  and  the  others  are 
wrong,  they  have  necessarily  failed  to  win  general 
favor ;  and  this  uniform  fiilure,  together  with  some 
acquaintance  with  human  nature,  has  led  me  to  the 
conclusion,  that  nothing  so  radical  can  bo  accom- 
plished until  hearts  shall  be  made  better,  and 
tongues  more  regulated  by  the  law  of  love,  and 
pens  dipped  more  exclusively  in  the  spirit  of 
Calvary. 

By  coiniiu  lu  iiig  at  once  those  preliminary  im- 
provements that  shall  clear  the  way  to  tlie  funda- 
mental elements  of  a  scriptural  union,  and  thus 
prepare  the  whole  boil}"^  of  believers  to  perceive 
the  true  basis  on  which  Christ  would  have  us  har- 
moniously unite  and  affectionately  cooi)cratc,  we 
may  render  to  ourselves,  and,  by  the  force  of  ex- 
ample, to  our  bretlu'cn  of  every  name,  a  valuable 


112  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 

service.  To  this  end,  we  should  endeavor  to  obtain 
distinct  and  correct  views  of  the  deplorable  effects 
of  schism,  as  exhibited  in  the  history  of  the  i?ast, 
as  daily  developed  in  our  ow  n  times,  and  as  likely 
to  become  apparent  in  the  disclosures  of  the  fu- 
ture. Let  us  conceal  nothing  from  ourselves ;  let 
us  open  our  minds  to  the  full  impression  which  the 
facts  will  assuredly  make  upon  the  considerate  and 
candid.  Let  us  also  anticipate,  as  we  certainly 
may,  without  any  improper  license  of  the  imagina- 
tion, the  delightful  influence  upon  the  Chui'ch  and 
the  world  of  that  cordial  union  which  all  agree  to 
be  desirable.  More  than  all,  let  us  take  a  midnight 
walk  with  Jesus  from  the  table  of  the  Eucharist  to 
the  Garden  of  Sorrows,  and,  as  w^e  passover  "  the 
brook  in  the  way,"  hear  him  plead  for  the  oneness 
of  his  disciples  in  all  lands,  all  ages  of  the  world. 
Our  minds  may  thus  be  made  tender  and  suscep- 
tible, and  ready  to  welcome  suggestions  of  a  still 
more  definite  and  practical  character. 

1.  ^VE  MAY  ENDEAVOR,  CAREFrLLY,  TO  DISPOSSESS 
OURSELVES  OF  THE  SPIRIT  OP  SECT. 

This  spirit  I  have  shown  to  be  the  fruitful  source 
of  innumerable  evils  ;  and,  however  diflScult  it  may 
be,  so  long  as  Christians  retain  their  sectarian  or- 
ganizations, to  dislodge  it  elfcctually  fvom  their 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


113 


bosoms,  yet  I  know  not  how,  until  this  be  done, 
they  can  rationally  hope  for  any  thorongli,  satis- 
factory reform.  Let  these  organizations  be  broken 
up  to-day,  and,  if  the  spirit  that  has  so  long  main- 
tained them  be  not  also  destroyed,  tlie  mass  would 
separate  again  to-niorrow  and  crystallize  afresh 
around  their  old  centres,  as  indisposed  as  ever 
to  a  general  consolidation.  These  special  affini- 
ties, constituting  no  essential  part  of  Christian 
character,  must  yield  to  the  paramount  law  of 
cohesion,  —  the  great  law  of  love,  —  including  su- 
preme love  to  Christ,  reverent  love  to  his  truth, 
unreserved  love  to  one  another ;  and  then  com- 
bination will  be  eas}-,  for  it  will  be  natural.  The 
spirit  of  sect  is  the  principal  antagonist  to  Chris- 
tian fraternity ;  for  while,  by  a  process  all  its  own, 
it  unites  a  certain  portion,  it  as  surely,  by  the 
same  process,  rcjK'l-i  all  the  remainder.  So  long, 
therefore,  as  it  exists  in  a  single  mind,  there  cannot 
be  entire  Christian  union. 

That  tliis  sjurit  has  its  home  among  u.>?  to  a 
greater  extent  tliau  in  other  denominations,  I  liave 
no  reason  to  believe  ;  but  that  it  exists  and  operates 
among  us,  my  observation  Avill  not  allow  me  to 
question.  The  inunbor  m  ho  are  entirely  free  from 
it  are,  I  fear,  not  a  largo  majority.  It  crops  out  at 
innumerable  points,  indicating  that  more  is  beneath. 
On  almost  all  occasions,  private  and  public,  it  is 
10* 


114 


CHRISTIAN  BKOTHERHOOD. 


more  or  less  apparent  —  P  esprit  du  corps  —  giving 
cast  and  coloring  to  mnch  that  is  folt,  and  said,  and 
done.  That  it  is  the  main-spring  of  Baptist  activ- 
ity in  the  religious  department,  it  would  be  un- 
just to  intimate ;  but  that  it  is  a  spring  of  no 
small  power,  we  must  honestly  concede.  It  is  visi- 
ble in  our  benevolent  operations,  our  periodical 
press,  our  denominational  literature,  our  schools, 
colleges,  and  theological  institutions ;  in  our  men, 
women,  a'nd  children ;  in  our  prayers,  preaching, 
and  almost  every  form  of  evangelical  eflfort.  It  is 
not,  as  we  are  Christians,  tlie  principal  element  of 
our  religious  character ;  but  it  is,  as  we  are  im- 
perfect Christians,  an  element  mingled  with  and 
corrupting  that  which  had  a  better  origin.  It 
works  covertly,  damaging  character  by  the  subtle 
delusion  that  love  of  sect  is  brotherly  love,  and 
what  we  do  for  sect  we  do  for  Christ.  "We  feel  so 
sure  that  we  are  right  in  all  respects,  as  practically 
to  make  the  kingdom'  of  heaven  on  earth,  and  our 
own  denomination  one  and  the  same.  In  this  we 
do  not  excel  others;  but,  in  o'lr  measure,  we  re- 
semble them. 

Now,  difficult  as  may  bo  the  service  here  recom- 
mended, of  removing  a  sjjirit  tliat  has  become  in- 
corpoi'ated  into  our  nature  and  habits,  so  as  to 
seem  \ittcrly  inextricable,  —  a  spirit  to  which  nutri- 
ment is  ministered  fronx  so  many  sources;  and 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


115 


more  difficult  as  it  may  be  to  effect  tlie  clislodgemeut 
of  a  spirit  of  whose  presence  and  malign  agency 
the  possessed  themselves  are  not  conscious,  —  still 
there  is  no  impossibility  in  the  case ;  for  what 
ought  to  be  done,  can  be  done ;  and  the  bare  knowl- 
edge of  the  magnitude  and  heinousness  of  the  evil, 
and  of  the  incalculable  benefits  that  would  result 
from  its  thorough  repudiation,  imposes  upon  me 
and  you  and  every  Christian  the  duty  of  attempt- 
ing its  immediate  and  entire  removal.  "We  should 
all  search  our  hearts,  as  the  Hebrews  searched 
their  dwellings  for  every  remnant  of  the  forbidden 
leaven  ;  and  we  should,  with  perseverance  and  holy 
hatred,  trace  the  unliallowed  spirit  in  all  its  dark 
and  sinuous  retreats,  and,  giving  no  quarter,  seek 
its  complete  extermination.  The  sectarian  spirit! 
What  argument  can  be  adduced  for  its  allowed 
existence  in  any  shape  or  for  any  purpose,  that 
may  not  be  pleaded  for  the  perpetuity  of  schism 
with  all  its  progeny  of  abominations?  If  this 
spirit,  M-hich  is  the  parent  and  prime  nurse  of  all 
our  disunion,  may  be  spai-ed  from  annihilation  or 
even  reprehension,  then  may  we,  then  must  we 
spare  also  our  execrations  of  the  divisions  which 
it  engenders  and  nourishes.  Tolerate  the  mother 
of  the  diabolical  brood,  and  the  offspring  will  not 
soon  become  less  numerous  or  les.s  thrifty. 

The  spirit  of  sect  is  not  the  spirit  of  Christ.  By 


116 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEKHOOD. 


no  power  of  sectarian  alchymy  can  it  be  transmuted 
into  auytliing  valuable.  To  the  unpractised  eye, 
it  may  be  made  to  resemble  that  element  of  holi- 
ness upon  which  the  New  Testament  so  largely 
insists — love  to  the  brethren;  but  it  is  the  resem- 
blance of  a  gilded  spuriousness  to  a  heaven-coined 
reality.  The  mora  we  have  of  it,  the  poorer  we 
are;  for  it  not  only  constitutes  no  part  of  the  "  true 
riches  "  of  Christian  character,  but  is  Avorse  than 
worthless,  occupying  that  place  in  the  mind  which 
ought  to  be  "  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God." 

Should  you  inquire  Avhat  method  I  would  pro- 
pose for  the  removal  of  this  wicked  spirit,  I  reply, 
that  we  are  to  put  it  away  as  we  would  any  other 
sinful  affection  that  is  deeply  rooted.  Something 
may  be  accomplished  by  imitating  the  practical 
farmer,  who  kills  out  the  noxious  from  the  soil  by 
planting  and  cultivating  the  useful.  But,  in  mul- 
titudes of  minds,  a  sterner  and  more  radical  jirocess 
will  be  requisite ;  for  the  vice  has  struck  its  tap- 
root far  down  into  the  soul,  and  its  thousand 
branches  and  minuter  filaments  have  cxtcudod  into 
every  department  of  the  moral  nature.  "  Break 
up  your  fallow  ground,  and  sow  not  among  thorns." 
Any  one  who  is  acquainted  with  the  natural  his- 
tory of  sectarianism,  would  conclude,  a  priori^  that 
"  This  kind  goeth  not  out  but  by  prayer  and  fast- 
ing." We  must  repent  before  God,  and  the  Church, 


CHEISTIAX  BKOTHERHOOD. 


117 


dud  the  World,  that  we  have  ever  cherished  a  spirit 
'^o  dishonorable  to  Christianity,  so  ruinous  to  souls; 
!uid  our  repentance  must  be  of  that  effectual  kind 
which  uproots  and  flings  away  all  uncharitableness, 
and  prepares  the  soul  for  the  full,  unobstructed 

rowth  of  that  "  perfect  love  "  which  takes  to  its 
:  osoni  all  the  good  in  the  universe.    And  con- 

lected  Avith  this  there  must  be  pi-ayer:  "Create 
in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God !  and  renew  a  right 
-pirit  within  me." 

2.  WE  ilAY  CUXTTVATE  A  HIGnER  DEGREE  OF  PER- 
SOXAL  HOLIXESS. 

Snf  is,  in  the  moral  world,  the  fotal  cause  of  re- 
pulsion and  separation.  It  is  the  occasion  of  those 
conflicts  which  disturb  the  inward  tranquillity  of 
the  individual ;  and  to  its  influence  we  may  trace 
the  disorder  and  confusion  that  are  everywhere 
reckoned  as  social  evils.  Just  in  proijortion  as  sin 
exists  in  any  community,  is  it  impossible  to  make 
the  moral  elements  cohere;  for  its  nature  is  to  make 
men  unlike  to  one  another,  and  therefore  unlike  to 
any  common  standard  of  character.  Hence  the 
inspired  declaration  —  "  The  founder  melteth  in 
vain,  for  the  wicked  are  not  plucked  away." 

IIouxEss  is  the  great  assimilating,  combining, 
cementing  principle  of  the  moral  world.    It  har- 


118  •  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


monizes  the  flicnlties  and  aifections  of  the  individ- 
ual, and  produces  that  internal  adjustment  and  con- 
cord which  the  Scriptures  denominate  "  peace,"  — 
"The  peace  of  God  wliich  passeth  all  understand- 
ing." So,  also,  by  bringing  numbers  into  harmony 
with  the  laws  under  -which  God  has  placed  them, 
and  thus  conforming  them  to  a  common  model, 
holiness  makes  them  resemble  one  another,  and 
then  they  come  together  by  the  law  of  simple 
affinity.  Just  in  pro2)ortion,  therefore,  to  the  de- 
gree of  holiness  in  tlie  members  of  any  social 
organization,  will  be  the  sincerity  of  their  mutual 
attachment,  the  strengtli  of  their  adhesion,  and  the 
solidity  and  indi.^solublencRS  of  their  luiion.  In 
heaven,  the  unanimity  and  the  fellowship  are  per- 
fect, because  all  the  constituents  of  that  happy 
society  are  not  only  sinless,  but  consciously,  ac- 
tively holy.  So,  in  the  Church  below,  were  we 
"  perfect,"  we  should  "  walk  by  the  same  rule,  and 
mind  the  same  thing."  Christ  is  the  Source  of  the 
attractive  power  to  all  his  people,  Avhethcr  in  the 
world  of  glory,  or  in  this  state  of  discipline,  draw- 
ing them  all  into  oneness  around  himself;  and,  as  a 
necessary  consequence,  the  nearer  they  are  to  him, 
the  Centre  of  the  moral  sphere,  the  nearer  they  are 
to  one  another. 

"Who  does  not  know  that  the  more  spiritual  and 
heavenly-minded  Christians  become,  the  more  are 


CHUISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


110 


tliey  clisiiossessetl  of  sectarian  feelings,  and  the 
less  easily  are  they  confined  within  sectarian  inclo- 
surcs  ?  Who  has  not  seen  the  more  devoted  and 
Christ-like  of  every  denomination  exhibit  their 
jjeculiar  affinity,  by  associating  for  the  enjoyment 
of  that  endeared  communion  which  they  lind  in 
familiar  conversation  upon  gracious  subjects,  and 
in  joint  addresses  to  the  throne  of  heavenly  grace? 
Opposed  to  everything  like  schism,  and  therefore 
unwilling  to  draw  another  dividing  line  by  form- 
ing another  party,  they  do  not  quit  their  rcsi^ective 
Churches,  but  continue  as  ever  to  jjerform  the 
duties  to  which  they  are  pledged  by  covenant  rela- 
tion. But,  as  opportunity  jiresents,  they  go  to 
"  their  own  comjjany,"  to  cultivate  the  friendship 
of  the  holiest  they  can  find,  and  to  open  their 
hearts  to  such  as  can  fully  symjjathize  with  their 
widened  views  and  deepened  feelings. 

"For  the  divisions  of  Reuben  there  were  great 
searchings  of  heart."  The  obstacles  that  interfere 
with  Christian  union  may  all  be  referred  to  one 
source,  the  heart.  The  difficulty,  therefore,  is 
moral  rather  than  i)hysical  or  intellectual,  and 
is  to  be  overcome  by  moral  means  —  by  means 
directed'  convergcntly  to  the  source  of  tlie  evil. 
Christians  may  be  brought  together,  as  they  are, 
and  induced  for  a  season  to  cooperate  as  if  sin- 
cerely united.    A  conviction  of  necessity  may 


120 


CUKISTIAX  BROTHERHOOD. 


apply  such  jiressure  as  shall  procure  a  mechanical 
union  that  shall  be  of  some  advantao-e  so  lonor  as 
it  lasts.  But  no  sooner  is  that  particular  force 
withdrawn  than  the  elements  separate  as  before, 
indulging,  perhaps,  some  self-complacency  in  the 
faithfulness  with  which  they  have  observed  the 
truce,  and  kejjt  the  beUigei-ent  spirit  in  temporary 
abeyance.  The  union  needed  is  such  a  union  of 
souls  as  nothing  can  effectuate  but  the  heavenly 
chemistry  of  hoUness,  that  mighty  principle  which 
assimilates  hearts  and  welds  them  together. 
How  concentrated  and  combined  were  the  affec- 
tions of  those  growing  thousands  in  the  primitive 
Church  !  "  The  multitude  of  them  that  believed 
were  of  oxe  heart."  Their  jjurity  of  character 
—  made  such  by  the  baptism  of  fire  —  contributed 
to  their  union,  and  their  warm  fraternal  fellowship 
supplied  facilities  for  still  higher  attainments  in 
the  divine  life.  "Great  grace  was  upon  them 
all." 

To  this  point,  then,  we  ought  to  give  immediate 
and  earnest  attention,  for  really  it  is  a  matter  of 
primary  interest.  Serious  as  are  the  obstacles  to 
the  growth  of  individual  piety  which  are  intcr- 
2)osed  by  the  divisions  of  Clnistians,  and  csi)ecially 
by  the  j^rcvalent  spirit  of  sect,  still  they  are  not 
insuperable.  Thousands  who  have  worn  the  party 
name,  and   sustained  the   party  relation,  have 


CHRISTIAN  BROTUEEHOOD. 


121 


tiirown  from  them  the  shackles  of  all  party  spirit, 
and  risen  superior  to  all  party  influences,  and 
walked  on  high  with  God,  in  sweet  companionship 
with  the  holy  of  all  ages  and  all  communions. 
lUit  it  is  impossible  that  Christians,  with  their 
;iresent  measure  of  piety,  should  become  generally 
one.     They  have  too  little  disinterested  love. 
Tlieir  conformity  to  their  blessed  Head  is  too 
incomplete.    They  have  within  them  too  many 
sinful  elements  to  admit  of  happy,  permanent 
(hesion.    These  elements,  such  as  pride,  selfish- 
ss,  love  of  the  world,  emulation,  self-esteem, 
;in(l  numerous  concomitant  evils  of  a  partially 
iictified  nature,  must  be  thoroughly  extirpated 
<;m  individual  minds  before  they  can  be  qualified 
mdidates  for  such  fellowship  as  Christ  and  his 
apostles  commended.    That  union  do^s  not  sub- 
sist in  any  denomination  —  certainly  not  in  ours. 
We  agree  in  some  tilings ;  but  wc  are  not  one 
cording  to  the  New  Testament  pattern.    I  ques- 
;ion  if  true  gospel  iniity  can  be  found  in  any 
Cliurch  of  an  hundred  members  on  the  face  of  the 
earth.    No  church,  no  denomination  is  yet  within 
itself  holy  enough  to  make  its  own  unanimity 
I'lore  than  approximate.    Allowing,  therefore,  that 
our  creed  and  practice  and  ecclesiastical  polity  arc 
preeminently  scriptural,  and  that  all  denominations 
ol"  Christians,  as  the  result  of  intelligent  convic- 
11 


122 


CIiniSTIAX  BROTHERHOOD. 


tion,  should  adoj^t  them,  .iiid  thus  occupy  with  us 
a  common  platform,  tliere  would  not,  there  could 
not,  be  true  gospel  union.  We  are  not  united 
among  ourselves ;  they  are  not  united  among 
themselves.  A  conjunction  of  any  number  of  dis- 
united bodies  would  never  make  one  accordant 
and  harmonious  compound.  Let  us  not  deceive 
ourselves.  The  holiness  of  the  denominations  — 
our  own  holiness  —  is  not  yet  such  as  to  justify 
the  hope  that  any  combining  process  would  be 
extensively  successful.  The  attemi:>t,  in  the  i>ves- 
ent  condition  of  tilings,  would  probably  result  in 
the  creation  of  a  new  sect.  We  all  need  a  much 
larger  measure  of  the  Divine  Influence  to  remove 
our  j^rejudices,  to  clarify  our  spiritual  vision,  to 
impregnate  our  minds  with  the  love  of  pure  truth, 
to  assimilate  us  more  completely  to  the  great  Mag- 
net of  the  universe  —  the  Crucified  One.  When 
these  results  are  accomplished  in  us, —  and  accom- 
pHshed  they  may  be,  and  should  be,  —  then  shall 
we  be  prepared  for  union,  and  then,  doubtless,  we 
shall  be  more  attractive  as  well  as  more  attracted 
than  we  now  are. 

Many  other  reasons  might  be  suggested  why  we 
should  cultivate  a  higher  degree  of  personal  holi- 
ness; but  my  i^resent  object  confines  me  to  this 
one  point  —  the  indispensablcness  of  an  advanced 
state  of  piety  to  tlie  promotion  of  true  Christian 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


123 


union.  "We  are  deficient  in  that  "godliness" 
which  "  is  profitable  unto  all  things,"  and  there- 
fore profitable  to  the  haimonizing  of  separated 
and  alienated  brethren.  We  have  devoted  much 
to  the  outward  of  Christianity ;  let  us  turn  our 
care  to  the  inward,  and  give  more  to  the  culture 
of  piety  and  holy  living  by  faith  on  the  Son  of 
God.  Let  us  endeavor,  by  all  the  helps  of  Divine 
grace,  to  kill  out  more  effectually  the  selfishness 
of  our  natures,  and  cultivate  a  supreme  regard  for 
tlie  glory  of  Christ.  Happy  would  it  be  for  us 
and  for  others,  would  we  but  strive,  "  according 
to  the  power  that  workcth  in  us,"  to  be  more 
Christ-like,  to  be  "crucified  with  Christ,"  to  be 
"made  conformable  to  his  death,"  to  be  "sanctified 
Mholly,"  to  have  our  "whole  body  and  soul  and 
spirit  preserved  blameless,"  to  be  "  filled  with  the 
Spirit,"  and  so  to  follow  the  Saviour  as  that  we 
"  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  have  the  light  of 
life."  The  end  to  be  sought  is  of  incalcvilable 
importance.  As  a  means  for  its  attainment,  our 
greatly  increased  sanctification  is  indispensable. 
The  perfection  of  Christian  union  depends  upon 
perfection  of  Christian  character.  For  holiness, 
then,  we  should  individually,  unanimously,  vigor- 
ously strive ;  and  as  we  press  on  towards  higher 
and  still  higher  attainments,  let  us  avail  ourselves 
of  the  fulness  of  provision  in  the  Dispensation  of 


124 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


Grace,  which  is  preeminently  the  Dispensation  of 
the  Spii'it. 

3.  WE  MAT  ILLUSTRATE,  BY  OTTE  OVTS  PRACTICE, 
THE  GREAT  PRINCIPLE,  THAT  THE  WORD  OF  GOD 
IS  THE  SOLE  AUTHORIZED  STANDARD  ATT.  MAT- 
TERS OF  EELIGIOJT. 

The  falsities  of  the  Roman  Antichrist  may  be 
generalized  under  thi'oe  heads. 

1.  That  a  knowledge  of  religious  truth  and 
duty  is  to  be  derived,  not  exclusively  fi'om  the 
Sacred  Scriptures,  but  also  and  largely  from  other 
sources,  as  tradition,  the  writings  of  the  Fathers, 
the  opinions  of  the  prelates,  and  especially  of  the 
Pope,  and  the  adjudications  of  Councils.  Vox 
JScclesice  vox  Dei,  is  the  idea,  to  repudiate  which 
is  fatal  heresy.  The  Church,  that  is,  the  hier- 
archy, is  not  only  the  interpreter  of  God's  com- 
munications, but  is  also  the  authorized  teacher 
of  much  that  God  has  left  otherwise  unrevealed. 
The  Bible,  tlius  interpreted,  is  only  one  soiu'ce  of 
religious  knowledge,  and  is  not  of  itself  sufficient 
to  direct  a  sinner  in  the  way  of  salvation. 

2.  That  the  righteousness  of  Christ  received  by 
faith  is  not  the  sole  ground  of  a  sinner's  accept- 
ance with  God;  but  that  other  things  are  to  be 
recognized  as  meritorious  causes  of  eternal  life; 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD, 


125 


among  wliich  are,  a  particular  relation  to  tlie 
Church  of  Rome;  various  ceremonial  ol)servauces, 
stich  as  fasts,  penances,  pilgrimages,  invocations  of 
the  saints  and  the  Virgin,  confessions,  masses,  pe- 
cuniaiy  contributions ;  and  especially  the  supera- 
bundant holiness  of  the  saints  deposited  in  the 
Church,  as  a  treasure,  to  supply  the  deficiency 
of  Christ's  merits,  and  subject  to  the  disposal  of 
the  Pope  and  his  authorized  subordinates. 

3.  That  the  regeneration  of  a  sinner  is  not 
effected  entirely  by  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
or  even  by  the  Spii-it  and  the  Word  combined, 
but  in  part,  if  not  mainly,  by  the  influence  of 
certain  prescribed  ceremonies  which  are  repre- 
sented as  indispensable,  not  only  as  the  mediums 
of  the  Divine  Influence,  but  also  as  possessing  in 
themselves  a  saving  efficiency. 

It  was  against  these  three  falsehoods,  in  par- 
ticular, so  fatally  subversive  of  the  Avhole  Chris- 
tian system,  that  the  partially  enlightened  and 
bold  lieformers  of  tlie  sixteenth  century  vehe- 
mently protested,  and  from  whose  baneful  influ- 
ence they  vigorously  endeavored  to  disenthral  not 
only  themselves,  but  their  deluded  contemporaries. 
Hence,  they  brought  out  prominently  the  three 
groat  principles  of  immortal  Truth : 

TiiK  Bible,  the  otili/  authoritative  source  of 
religious  knowledge. 

11* 


126  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 

The  Righteousness  of  Christ,  received  by 
faith,  the  only  ground  of  a  sinner'' s  justification 
before  God. 

The  Holt  Spirit,  tJie  all-sufficient  Agent  in 
the  2}^oduction  of  s^nritual  life  in  the  soul  of 
man. 

This  trinity  of  propositions  tliey  held  uj)  to  the 
wondering  nations,  and  faithful  history  informs  us 
of  the  power  which  God  gave  them  in  the  eman- 
cipation of  enslaved  millions. 

The  effort  to  restore  the  Bible  to  its  proper 
place  in  human  estimation,  was  the  result  of  a 
clear  conviction  that  this  Volume,  the  Gift  of 
God,  teaches  all  we  need  to  know  and  to  do  in 
the  deijartment  of  Religion.  The  writings  of  the 
Reformers,  though  marred  by  some  errors,  abound 
with  propositions  and  explanations  which  show 
conclusively  how  correct  was  their  general  theory; 
and  in  their  zealous,  self-denying,  and  often  peril- 
ous endeavors  to  supply  the  people,  in  their  own 
tongues,  Avitli  tlie  whole  Book  of  God,  we  find 
their  j^ractice  hajjpily  consistent  with  their  tlieory. 
And  from  their  day  to  ours,  the  tongues  and  the 
pens  of  Protestant  Christians  have  repeated  and 
multiplied  the  declarations  of  those  giants  of  Re- 
form; and,  during  the  last  half  century,  numer- 
ous Bible  associations  have  practically  demon- 
strated that  the  principles  avowed  are  not  the 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


127 


rhapsodies  of  sentiment,  but  the  deliberate  con- 
victions of  the  understanding  and  the  warm  attes- 
tations of  the  heart.  Who,  of  Protestant  pro- 
clivities, has  not  admired,  and  quoted  -with  his 
own  endorsement,  that  terse,  expressive  proposi- 
tion of  the  learned  Chillingworth :  "  The  Bible, 
the  Bible,  I  say,  the  Bible  only  is  the  religion  of 
Protestants  ?  "  And  well  did  he  add  in  the  next 
■cntence:  "Whatsoever  else  they  may  believe  as 
a  matter  of  faith  and  religion,  they  cannot  do  it 
with  coherence  to  their  own  grounds,  nor  require 
the  belief  of  it  in  others,  without  most  high  and 
most  schismatical  presumption." 

Yet,  strong  as  have  been  the  declarations  of 
all  Protestants  upon  this  subject,  and  much  as 
they  have  contributed  towards  the  translation  and 
distribution  of  the  Bible,  it  may  be  a  question  if 
Protestants,  of  all  denominations,  have  not  more 
or  less  violated  the  great  I'rinciple  which  they  have 
so  often  and  so  eloquently  advocated.  Luther 
said  that  "  every  man  is  born  with  a  Pope  in  his 
heart."  Tlie  errors  of  the  papacy  seem  to  be  in- 
digenous to  human  nature;  and  it  would  not  be 
remarkable,  if  the  best  of  men,  partially  sanctified, 
should  betray  the  presence  of  some  remnants  of 
the  old  leaven.  But  Iiow  stands  the  fact?  Do 
Protestants  confine  themselves  to  the  Word  of 
(Jod  as  tlicir  sole  instructor  in  religious  truth  and 


128 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


duty?^  One  of  the  most  able  and  fascinating 
■writers  of  modern  times  has  drawn  a  beautiful 
word-picture  in  the  following  form :  "  All  the  doc- 
tors, Greek,  Latin,  French,  Swiss,  German,  Eng- 
lish, American,  placed  in  the  presence  of  the 
"Word  of  God,  are,  altogether,  only  disciples  who 
are  receiving  instruction.  Men  of  the  first  times, 
men  of  the  last,  we  are  all  alike  uj^jon  the  benches 
of  the  Divine  School ;  and  in  the  chair  of  instruc- 
tion, around  which  we  are  humbly  assembled, 
nothing  ajipears,  nothing  elevates  itself  but  the 
infalhble  Word  of  God.   I  perceive  in  that  vast 

1  The  Reformation  in  German}-  turned  entirely  upon  this 
principle:  "The  Fathers  must  be  tried  by  the  Scriptures,  and 
not  the  Scriptures  by  the  Fathers."  Then,  -wlien  Luther,  aided 
by  Melancthon,  had  made  the  Bible  common  by  his  translation, 
and  announced  the  clearness  and  certainty  of  its  truths,  with- 
out the  aid  of  commentators;  then  it  was  that  the  eiTOi-s  of 
Popery,  one  by  one,  lost  their  hold  upon  the  minds  of  the 
people,  and  a  oneness  of  sentiment  and  faith  was  given  to  the 
whole  body  of  reformers  and  their  disciples  everywhere,  that 
vibrated  at  all  points  of  Christendom,  r-nd  put  a  ne>raess  of 
face  on  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  AVe,  even  in  these  days,  have 
in  some  measure  degenerated  from  the  sacred  oracles.  Wc 
have  had  recourse  to  waters,  collected  from  the  li\  ing  fountain, 
only  in  the  receptacles  in  which  human  authors  liave  deposited 
them,  and  where  they  are  impregnated  with  the  qualities  of  the 
fallible  and  fallen  minds  that  have  distributed  them.  We  must 
drinU  tlieso  waters  in  greater  purity,  by  retracing  our  steps  to 
their  source.  —  Dr.  Lie/child. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


129 


auditory,  Calvin,  Luther,  Cranmer,  Augustine, 
Chrysostom,  Athanasius,  Cyprian,  by  the  side  of 
our  cotemporaries."^  If  this  be  taken  as  a  repre- 
sentation of  what  should  be,  it  is  more  than  beau- 
tiful,—  the  conception  is  sublime.  If  I  am  de- 
sired to  regard  it  as  descriptive  of  actual  fact,  I 
pause  and  consider.  Passing  over  the  "men  of 
the  first  times"  as  the  lights  of  a  period  long 
anterior  to  the  Reformation,  and  even  to  the  gen- 
eral triumph  of  the  papacy  "whose  coming  was 
after  the  Avorking  of  Satan,  with  all  power  and 
signs  and  lying  wonders,"  I  would  respectfully 
inquire  if  the  "men  of  the  last  times,"  commenc- 
ing with  Martin  Luther  and  ending  with  whom 
you  please,  have  practically  can-ied  out  in  their 
formularies  of  doctrine  and  practice  the  boasted 
principle,  "The  Bible  only  the  religion  of  Prot- 
estants ?  "  It  is  no  part  of  my  purpose  to  detect 
and  expose  the  inconsistencies  and  infiiTuities  of 
others ;  I  design  merely  to  intimate  that  the  loud 
proclamation  and  earnest  advocacy  of  a  great 
Truth  is  not  always  accoraiianied  by  a  full  sub- 
mission to  tliat  Truth  in  its  practical  require- 
ments; and  that  if  this  incongruity  may  be  found 
in  others,  we  may  not  take  it  for  granted  that 
wo  are  wholly  exempt  from  it  ourselves. 

1  Pusoyism  Examined;  by  J.  II.  Mcrlo  d'  Aubignd. 


130  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 

We  are  not  strictly  a  Protestant  denomination. 
We  are,  many  of  us,  descendants  of  those  brave 
men  and  women  who  protested  against  tlie  abom- 
inations of  Rome ;  but,  as  a  Christian  sect,  we  are 
not  the  ofispring  of  the  Reformation.  Our  name 
is  nothing  but  a  discriminative  title,  denoting  at 
first  but  a  single  peculiarity,  now  standing  for  a 
class  of  ideas,  and  could  easily  be  dismissed  for 
the  more  comprehensive  and  original  apj^ellation, 
Christian.  But  our  principles  are  older  than 
the  papacy,  —  older  than  all  the  corruptions  of 
ecclesiastical  Catholicism.  Along  the  ages  there 
were  a  scries  of  good  men  who  maintained  those 
principles,  and  protested  against  the  perversion 
of  evangelical  Christianity  and  the  schisms  of  the 
Christian  Church ;  and  to  them  we  claim  affinity. 
If  it  be  asked  where  we  Avere  during  the  excit- 
ing and  tumultuous  scenes  of  the  Reformation,  I 
answer  that,  although  few  and  feeble  and  scat- 
tered, we  were  there,  not  bearing  indeed  our 
present  name,  nor  yet  the  name  Anabajitist,^  but 
advocating  essentially  our  distinctive  principles, 


1 


1  No  pains  have  been  spared  to  trace  our  paternity  to  the 
Anabaptists  of  central  Europe,  a  fanatical  sect,  of  whom  it 
has  never  been  proved  that  they  were  immcrsionists.  Thoy 
repeated  the  rite,  generally  in  the  common  form  of  the  ago, 
simply  to  render  it  valid ;  not  as  performed  in  a  better  mode, 
but  by  better  hands. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


131 


and  endeavoriug  to  commend  tbem  to  the  recep- 
tion of  both  the  reformers  and  the  reformed. 
Ever  fi-om  the  days  of  the  Ajjostles  we  have  pro- 
fessed to  regard  the  Word  of  God  as  the  only 
authentic  source  of  reUgious  knowledge,  the  sole 
arbiter  of  truth  in  all  questions  of  religious  faith 
and  i^racticc.  The  great  Protestant  sentiment 
upon  this  subject  has  always  been  ours ;  and 
neither  Melancthon,  nor  Chillingworth,  nor  even 
the  learned  Professor  at  Geneva,  ever  constructed 
stronger  utterances  in  its  fovor  than  have  come 
from  the  lips  and  the  pens  of  our  brethren  at  all 
points  along  the  line  of  our  lengthened  history. 
Our  antiquity  as  a  sect  is  of  minor  consequence ; 
but  we  do  attach  value  to  the  continuity  of  cer- 
tain principles,  commencing  in  the  a230Stolic  age, 
and  running  unbroken  through  the  ages  of  papal 
error.  "Wc  still  avow  the  Bible  to  be  the  only 
authoritative  Book  of  the  Church,  the  only  Rule 
of  Christian  faith  and  conduct,  the  Judge  to  whom 
in  all  religious  questions  our  a^jpeal  is  to  be  made, 
and  whose  decisions  alone  are  ultimate  and  bind- 
ing. Whoever  may  say,  "To  the  Bible  and  Tra- 
dition," wc  are  accustomed  unanimously  to  say, 
"  To  the  Law  and  to  the  Testimony,"  or,  "  To  the 
Bible  only." 

After  such  statements,  the  inquiry  may  be 
started:  "What  more,  my  brother,  do  you  de- 


132  CHRISTIAN  BUOTHEKHOOD. 

sire  ?  "  Nothing  more,  certainly,  by  way  of  j)ro- 
fession.  The  theory  is  "  perfect  and  entire,  want- 
ing nothing."  And  is  it  not  equally  perfect  in 
the  spoken  and  the  written  professions  of  other 
evangelical  denominations,  whose  practice,  in  some 
respects,  we  think,  contradicts  or  ignores  the  prin- 
ciple? It  may,  therefore,  be  an  unexpected,  if 
not  an  unwelcome,  question,  if  we  do  practically 
make  the  Bible  our  exclusive  standard  of  truth  and 
duty  in  religion.  I  ask  not  if  our  system  of  be- 
lief is  concurrent  with  the  teachings  of  the  Sacred 
Scrijitures ;  or,  if  the  Christian  ordinances,  as  ad- 
ministered by  us,  are  essentially  after  the  primi- 
tive pattern ;  or,  if  our  ecclesiastical  organizations 
are  such  as  the  Apostles,  in  our  circumstances, 
would  be  likely  to  adopt ;  because  these  questions 
may,  for  the  present,  be  answered  in  the  affirma- 
tive, and  yet  the  inquiry  be  legitimately  urged, 
if  we  actually  treat  the  Bible  as  we  profess  to 
regard  it;  if  we  do  ourselves  repair  directly  and 
exclusively  to  the  Word  of  God  for  our  religious 
knowledge ;  if  our  profession  of  the  Chri.slian 
faith,  and  our  connection  with  a  particular  body 
of  Christians  are  the  results  of  our  own  inves- 
tigations and  intellijxent  convictions.  lias  tradi- 
tion  no  authority  with  us?  Has  the  education 
we  received  anterior  to  our  conversion  no  influ- 
ence in  modifying  our  opinions  and  practices? 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD.  133 

Are  we  never  drawn  into  the  Churches  of  which 
we  are  members  by  the  power  of  example,  of 
sympathy,  of  natural  relationship,  or  of  paitiality 
to  the  "ministers  by  whom  Ave  believed,"  or  by 
whose  labors  we  are  j^articularly  edified?  Has 
the  Bible  with  iis  supreme  authority,  not  only  in 
theory  but  also  in  fact?  Is  it  the  Law  of  our 
hearts,  our  lips,  our  lives?  Is  it  always  the  mas- 
ter, and  never  the  servant,  of  our  reason  ? 

Perhaps  no  people  are  more  accustomed  than 
we  to  say  to  converts  and  to  all  inquirers  after 
truth,  "  Go  to  the  Scriptures.  Read  candidly  and 
prayerfully,  and  there  ascertain  what  you  are  to 
believe  and  what  you  are  to  jiractise."  And  yet, 
do  wc  never  dcjiart  from  this  most  commendable 
advice  by  throwing  in  something  else  to  incline 
inquirers  in  a  desired  direction?  Do  we  trust 
them  with  the  Bible  only?  Do  wc  never  inter- 
pose the  influence  of  names,  —  the  names  of  ex- 
cellent men  who  thought  and  acted,  as  we  think, 
rightly?  We  complain  of  others,  and  not  with- 
out occasion,  that  tiicy  distribute  tracts  and  books 
adapted  to  sectarian  purposes.  Do  we  never 
recommend  and  circulate  human  productions,  as 
if  Bometliing  more  tlian  the  Bible  were  neces- 
sary to  lead  perplexed  minds  to  our  conclusions? 
Of  the  numerous  thousands  who  are  every  year 
identifying  themselves  with  us  by  a  Christian  pro- 
12 


134 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


fession,  how  many  can  truly  say  that  the  Bible 
only  is  their  Directory,  —  the  lamj)  unto  their  feet 
and  the  light  unto  their  path?  What  is  the  de- 
sign, and  what  arc  the  practical  tendencies,  of  the 
"denominational  literature"  for  the  young  and 
the  old?  Are  our  rising  ministry  never  instructed/ 
in  systems  of  divinity  which  others  have  prepared 
for  their  benefit  ?  Those  systems  may  be  strictly 
scriptural ;  but  do  they  who  receive  them  always 
know  by  personal  investigation  that  they  embody 
the  truth  of  God  ?  And  when  they  are  supplied 
with  "rules  of  interpretation,"  and  told  to  'ii)ply 
them  for  themselves,  are  those  rules  not  unfrc- 
quently  such  as  are  expected  and  intended  to 
bring  out  certain  results?  Is  Ecclesiastical  His- 
tory never  made  with  us,  as  well  as  with  others, 
to  mould  and  modify  our  theological  doctrines 
and  our  views  of  Church  polity?  Do  we  never, 
in  a  Summary  of  Faith,  submit  for  examination 
a  series  of  doctrinal  jjropositions,  or  preceptive 
I  instructions,  and  recommend  that  they  be  com- 

pared M'ith  the  Scriptures?  And  are  not  the 
points  thus  presented  intended  to  be  like  the 
posts  in  a  certain  kind  of  fence,  while  the  proof- 
texts  to  be  culled  from  the  Bible  are,  like  flexile 
osiers,  to  be  wattled  in  to  complete  the  structure  ? 


Have  you  never  thought,  my  brother,  of  a  pecu- 


CHRISTIAN  BUOTHEKHOOD. 


135 


liar  fact  in  the  liistoiy  of  theological  institutions  ? 
The  different  sects  have  these  "schools  of  the 
prophets,"  in  all  of  which  it  is  professed  that  a 
Biblical  theology  is  tanght.  They  certainly  differ 
more  or  less  in  their  instructions,  else  they  might 
be  consohdateil,  and,  as  I  have  shown,  save  ex- 
pense, and  make  a  better  moral  impression  upon 
the  community.  They  certainly  train  their  candi- 
dates for  the  pulpit  differently,  and  send  them 
out  for  services  that  differ.  Does  not  the  spirit 
of  sect  i-ule  largely  in  these  institutions?  If  not; 
if  the  Bible  is  made  the  authoritative  Guide,  lead 
where  it  may;  if  the  pupils  are  encouraged  to 
make  independent  investigations,  and  taught  to 
eabmit  their  reasons  to  the  clearly  ascertained 
will  of  God,  —  how  shall  we  account  for  it  that 
they  so  xmiformly  emerge  as  they  entered,  Avith 
no  change  but  a  confirmation  of  their  precxistent 
opinions,  and  firmer  fixedness  in  their  sectarian 
relations  ?  And  if  the  leaders  are  thus  trained  in 
a  system,  where  the  Bible  is  made  to  serve  rather 
than  rule,  it  cannot  surprise  us  that  the  masses 
should  follow  their  i)redilections,  and  seldom  in- 
quire "What  saith  the  Lord?" 

At  the  Council  of  Trent  it  is  said  that  a  copy 
of  the  Bible  was  placed  upon  an  elevated  throne, 
richly  upholstered,  in  token  of  ' its  supremacy.  Yet 
the  worthies  there  assembled  proceeded  to  settle 


136 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


great  questions  of  doctrine  and  j^olity  without 
once  referring  to  the  Book  thus  nominally  en- 
throned. Their  action,  if  not  designedly,  Avas 
actually  as  bitter  mockery  of  the  inspired  Vol- 
ume, as  was  the  conduct  of  another  group,  who 
j^ut  upon  Christ  a  purple  robe,  and  a  reed  in 
liis  hand!  From  that  epoch,  a  new  starting- 
point  in  the  bloody  march  of  sjjiritual  despotism, 
the  Bible  ceased  to  be  allowed  even  the  appear- 
ance of  sujjremacy,  and  its  royal  position  was 
usurped  by  decrees  and  formularies  of  human 
manuficture.  We  lay  the  Bible  upon  our  high 
places,  both  at  home  and  in  the  house  of  worship, 
and  treat  it  objectively  with  great  outward  respect ; 
but  do  Ave  really  pay  it  all  the  reverence  which 
these  formalities  would  indicate?  Does  it  hold 
the  primary  place  as  our  Teacher  of  truth  and 
duty? 

We  are  constantly  saying  that  if  all  Christians, 
with  minds  completely  dispossessed  of  prejudice, 
and  sincerely  desirous  to  learn  the  divine  will  in 
order  that  they  might  do  it,  would  devoutly  repair 
to  the  Bible,  and  the  Bible  only,  for  information, 
they  woidd  not  fail  of  their  object ;  they  would 
assuredly  come  into  "  the  unity  of  the  faith."  And 
who  can  dispute  the  correctness  of  this  assertion? 
Did  not  the  Saviour  sny  that  if  any  man  would 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


137 


DO  Lis  Father's  will  lie  slioulJ  know  the  real 
truth  ?  The  Scriptures  are  not  like  the  heathen 
oracles,  equivocal  or  enigmatical,  nor  are  they  "  of 
any  private  interpretation."  If  they  were,  how 
could  they  be  "  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof, 
for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness?" 
They  are  a  Revelation  —  an  aTro/cdAvi/'ts  —  of  the 
will  of  God,  containing  the  doctrines  which  he 
would  have  us  believe,  and  the  precejits  which  he 
would  have  us  obey.  He  has  informed  us  of  the 
simple  conditions  upon  which  we  may  ascertain 
the  meaning  of  this  Paternal  Gift,  and  these  may 
be  comprised  under  four  heads : 

That  our  motive  in  all  be  to  glorify  Ilim  ; 

That  we  diligently  search  the  Scriptures  ; 

That  we  search  them  with  childlike  docility ; 

That  we  search  with  the  sjjirit  of  obedience. 
If  all  would  follow  his  directions,  they  would  learn 
his  meaning,  and  therefore  agree  in  their  conclu- 
sions. To  suppose  it  might  be  otherwise,  would 
be  to  destroy  confidence  in  the  Scriptures,  and 
impeach  the  wisdom,  the  veracity^  and  the  good- 
ness of  their  Divine  Author. 

But  while  such  are  the  views  that  we  proclaim, 
and  that  are  not  ours  exclusively,  Ave  must  not 
take  it  amiss  if  a  (piestlon  should  bo  raised  as  to 
our  consistency  of  practice.  Do  we  examine^  the 
Word  of  God  free  from  all  prejudice  or  prciiusses- 
12* 


138 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEEHOOD. 


sion,  entirely  divested  of  tlie  spirit  of  sect;  and 
are  our  investigations  2:)rosecuted  with  that  docile 
and  obedient  spirit,  and  with  that  purity  of  mo- 
tive, which  are  indispensable  to  the  certain  discov- 
ery of  the  Divine  Avill  ?  If  the  Bible  were  now 
for  the  first  time  put  into  our  hands  as  the  one  and 
only  source  of  religious  truth,  are  our  minds  in  tlie 
proper  attitude  for  tlie  ascertainment  of  its  true 
import?  Are  we  sure  that  the  conclusions  to 
which  we  should  come  are  identical  with  the  prop- 
ositions set  forth  in  our  j^resent  creeds,  or  summa- 
ries of  faith  and  jiractiee  ?  Have  we  embraced 
these  2)ropositions  because  we  first  found  them 
clearly  taught  in  the  Scriptures ;  or  have  Ave 
embraced  them  and  committed  ourselves  to  their 
defence,  and  afterwards  looked  for  them,  and  found 
them  the  more  easily  in  the  Divine  Word  ?  I 
may  be  told  that  it  matters  very  little  ho^v  we 
came  by  our  religious  theory,  provided  we  can 
prove  it  by  the  Scrii^tures.  To  such  a  pleader  I 
respectfully  rejjly,  that  unless  he  has,  by  personal 
investigation,  ^uide  in  the  si)irit  of  candor,  witli 
prayer  for  Divine  illumination,  and  with  honest 
practical  intentions,  derived  liis  articles  of  belief 
directly  from  tlie  Sacred  Volume,  he  has  no  riglit 
to  say  that  tliey  are  scriptural.  He  slioidd  know 
that  almost  anything  may  be  "  proved  "  by  fr.ig- 
nientary  citations  from  Scripture  wrested  from 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


139 


their  connections,  and  that  his  proof-texts  may, 
by  a  process  of  subornation,  be  false  witnesses. 
Surely,  there  is  a  wide  difference  between  hearing 
with  docility  what  God  says,  and  using  his  testi- 
mony to  confirm  what  man  says.  Besides,  he 
should  not  forget  that  in  his  treatment  of  tlic 
Scriptures,  he  is  not  such  an  one  as  God  has  j^roni- 
ised  to  "  guide  in  judgment,"  and  to  "  teach  his 
way."  lie  has  not  only  violated  his  own  principle 
—  "  The  Bible  only  is  my  religion  "  —  but  he  has 
deviated  widely  from  the  Divine  directions  touch- 
ing the  discoveiy  of  truth,  and  therefore  "  the 
secret  of  the  Lord"  is  not  with  him.  He  has  not 
talked  with  Jesus  by  the  way,  and  had  the  Scrip- 
tures opened  to  him  by  their  heavenly  Author; 
but  he  has  embraced  his  system  of  theological 
theses,  and  then  brought  them  to  the  inspired 
Word  for  corroboration.  The  Jews  at  Berea  were 
"  more  noble "  than  this ;  they  heard  what  Paul 
and  Silas  had  to  say,  and  wore  deeply  interested 
in  their  interpretations  and  appeals;  but  they  did 
not  end)race  the  views  presented,  until  they  had 
carefully  "searched  the  Sciiptures  daily  whether 
those  tiling  were  so."  Were  I  addressing  him, 
instead  of  you,  I  would  say:  No,  my  brother; 
utdess  you  have  come  unprejudiced,  and  free  from 
all  l)arty  bias,  and  with  a  truly  humble,  docile 
spirit,  to  the  prayed'ul  study  of  the  Bible,  you  are 


140 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


not  autborized  to  say  that  your  system  is  scrip- 
tural. It  may  he  so,  because  others  before  you 
may  have  fairly  drawu  it  from  the  Fountain  of 
living  Truth ;  but  you  cto  not  know  it  to  be  so, 
and  all  your  selected  proof-texts  will  never  justify 
you  in  the  use  of  very  positive  language  respecting 
it.  You  have  embraced  the  system  without  know- 
ing it  to  be  scriptural,  and  for  other  \easons  than 
its  Biblical  verification  ;  and,  more  than  this,  you 
have  foreclosed  the  only  avenue  leading  to  that 
solid  ground  of  certainty  on  which  you  might 
stand  erect  and  challenge  contradiction.  Say  not, 
then,  that  it  is  of  little  ipiportauce  how  you  came 
into  possession  of  your  A'iews,  jirovided  you  can 
quote  Scripture  in  tlieir  support.  The  question, 
Is  the  system  yours  ?  is  legitimate  and  deserving 
of  a  considerate  reply.  A  good  title  is  of  some 
impoitauce  in  our  religious  as  well  as  our  secular 
affairs. 

But  the  position  thus  assumed  is  indefensible  in 
another  respect.  It  practically  underv  alues  the 
Word  of  God,  and  justifies  the  course  of  those 
denominations  who  resort  occasionally  to  other 
sources  of  religious  knowledge.  They  say,  "  The 
Bible,  the  Bible  only,"  and  yet  in  practice  it  is  Tra- 
dition, or  the  Fathers,  or  Ecclesiastical  History,  or 
Articles,  Homilies,  Standards  of  Faith,  Confes- 
sions, or  something  else  in  addition  to  the  Bible. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


141 


We  say,  "  The  Bible,  the  Bible  only,"  and  yet, 
according  to  your  theory,  we  may  receive  from 
some  other  source  our  theological  i")rincii)les,  and 
employ  the  Bible  merely  for  their  confirmation 
and  sanction.  Thus  perpetrating  the  very  wrong 
which  we  profess  to  condemn,  and  which,  perhaps 
boastfully,  we  allege  that  we  avoid,  our  teachings 
are  impaired  in  force  by  an  inconsistent  example. 

The  various  ])lans  of  imion  which  have  been 
proposed  and  recommended  have  seemed  to  recog- 
nize the  practicability  of  Christians  comuig  to- 
gether and  being  one  without  agreement  in  belief 
and  practice.  It  may  be  presumptuous  in  me  to 
exi)ress  a  doubt  of  the  possibility  of  such  an 
union  ;  but  the  doubt  is  deeply  fixed  in  my  mind, 
and  every  new  examination  of  the  facts  confirms 
it.  I  hear  God  inquiring,  "  Can  two  walk  together 
except  thej'  be  agreed?"  and  I  understand  the 
interrogation  as  involving  a  decided  negative.  If 
the  fellowship  of  two,  the  smallest  number,  be 
impossible  without  agreement,  I  conclude  that  the 
same  impossibility  extends  to  a  thousand  or  a  mil- 
lion who  may  disagree.  Any  number  of  individ- 
uals can  walk  together  so  far  as  they  are  agreed, 
jirovided  they  consent  to  hold  in  abeyance  the 
])olnts  respecting  whicli  tlicy  dificr  ;  but  by  a  fixed 
law  their  real  union  caimot  be  stretched  beyond 
the  particulars  in  Avhich  they  concur.    I  suppose 


142 


CURISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


that  Christian  union  must  have  its  basis  in  una- 
nimity touching  everything  which  the  Scriptures 
make  essential  to  Christian  character  and  the  Chris- 
tian life.  The  union  of  the  primitive  Church  was 
unquestionably  of  this  kind.  In  matters  jjertaining 
to  which  they  had  no  Divine  instruction,  they  may 
have  differed,  nay,  they  did  differ,  and  the  Apostles 
advised  them  to  be  forbearing  and  charitable  re- 
specting those  differences;  but  in  all  that  Christ 
and  his  inspired  servants  taught  them  to  believe 
and  do,  they  were  agreed  and  united.  Theirs, 
therefore,  Avas  not  merely  an  union  of  hearts,  but 
also  an  union  of  minds.  Their  religious  convictions 
were  coincident ;  their  religious  practice  was  uni- 
form. The  word  of  God  was  to  them  sujjreme 
authority,  and  that  word  they  interjireted  alike. 

One  of  the  modes,  then,  by  which  Ave  may  pro- 
mote that  union  among  God's  children  which  we 
acknowledge  to  be  desirable,  is  to  promote  agree- 
ment among  them  Avith  respect  to  Christian  truth 
and  duty.  And  this  may  be  done  by  encouraging, 
in  every  practicable  Avay,  the  careful,  candid,  de- 
vout study  of  the  Scrijjtures  as  the  one  source  of 
religious  knoAvledgc.  How  can  Ave  so  cfieclively 
influence  others  to  adopt  this  course,  as  by  pre- 
senting in  our  own  conduct  tlie  true  example  ? 
The  Woiiu  of  Gou  only  :  be  that  our  motto, 


CHRISTIAN  BROTnEEHOOD. 


143 


"  known  and  read  of  all  men."  And  let  our  action 
be  faithfully  suited  to  the  sentiment :  "  The  Word 
OF  God  ojtly,  with  no  human  addition ;  the  Divine 
Revelation,  clear,  limpid,  pure,  just  as  it  came  from 
the  heart  of  infinite  Wisdom,  Goodness  and  Truth. 
Turning  away  from  man  and  all  his  utterances,  let 
us  apply  our  ear  attentively,  exclusively  to  the 
Divine  Testimony.  "I  will  hear  what  God  the 
Lord  will  speak."  And  while  we  show  definitively 
>  all  observers  that  we  count  as  an  outrage,  and 
I  \  cn  as  impiety,  the  attempt  to  put  anything  by 
tlie  side  of  his  Word,  let  us  not  fail  to  show  also, 
and  M'ith  equal  definitiveness,  tliat  we  arc  sincerely 
desirous  to  be  enlightened  and  governed  by  that 
Word.  Let  xis  ever  Avith  true  meekness  and  docil- 
ity occupy  "  the  benches  of  that  divine  School," 
where  "  nothing  appears,  nothing  elevates  itself  in 
the  chair  of  instruction,  but  the  infiillible  Word  of 
God."  And  when  converts  are  multiplied  around 
us,  let  us  faithfully  insist  that  they  take  their  places 
in  the  same  school  as  disciples  of  the  Great  Teacher. 
Let  us  not  introduce  them  into  the  Churcii,  and 
fasten  upon  them  a  sectarian  name,  and  pledge 
them  to  the  defence  of  a  sectarian  creed  and  the 
siipport  of  a  sectarian  policy,  and  afterwards  direct 
them  to  the  Bible  as  the  Book  from  which  they 
arc  to  learn  tlieir  ]\Iaster's  will.  The  Bible  First, 
the  Bible  Always:  be  that  .our  lesson,  verbally 
taught,  practically  exemplified. 


144 


CHRISTIAJJ  BROTHERnOOD. 


la  this  way  we  may  contribute  to  Christian  har- 
mony. We  shall  thus  take  an  important  step  tow- 
ards the  qualification  of  ourselves  as  a  constituent 
portion  of  the  great  united  whole.  TTe  shall  be- 
come jiractically  and  really,  what  A'ery  manj'  are 
now  only  theoretically  and  apparently,  the  disciples 
of  Ilim  who  said,  "Learn  of  me."  We  shall  occupy, 
ground  upon  which,  if  all  come,  all  will  agree,  and 
upon  which,  if  there  be  in  all  the  proper  moral 
feelings,  there  wiU  assuredly  be  tlie  imion  for  which 
the  Saviour  prayed. 

An  incidental  effect  of  such  study  of  the  Divine 
Word,  and  further  contributive  to  the  general 
result,  is  the  spirit  that  will  be  nurtured  in  our 
own  bosoms,  —  a  spirit  as  far  removed  from  the 
schismatical  as  is  the  spirit  of  heaven.  A  man  who 
has  adopted  his  theological  principles,  and  arranged 
his  system  of  religious  ethics,  and  then  comes  to 
the  Bible  merely  to  corroborate  and  sanctify  his 
preconceptions,  pursues  a  course  that  will  be  likely 
to  strengthen  all  his  tendencies  to  separation  and 
exclusiveness.  He  v.  ill  be  more  of  the  contro- 
vertist  than  the  peace-maker ;  more  of  the  sectarian 
than  the  Christian.  But  the  man  who  reverences 
the  Word  of  God  as  supreme  in  excellence  and 
authority ;  who  comes  to  it,  emptied  of  all  human 
notions,  and  communes  with  it,  sincerely  desirous 


CHKISTIAK  BROTHERHOOD. 


145 


to  bo  made  wiser  and  bettei- ;  Avho  opens  his  soul 
fully  to  all  the  influences  and  impregnations  of  the 
truth,  "  as  the  truth  is  iu  Jesus,"  —  will  he  sure,  not 
only  to  learn  how  he  may  be  saved,  and  what  he 
must  believe,  and  the  duties  he  must  practise,  but 
also  to  imbibe  a  spirit  that  will  render  him  more 
lovely  in  the  eyes  of  both  earth  and  heaven,  and  a 
more  fit  subject  for  that  union  Avhich  is  yet  to  be 
realized,  and  for  which  high  spiritual  qualifications 
are  indispensable.  ^  He  lays  his  thirsting  soul  down 
to  that  "  stream  which  makes  glad  the  city  of 
God,"  —  the  one  stream  of  truth  with  which  min- 
gle no  inflaming  ingredients.  He  drinks  in  the 
spiiit  of  the  Bible,  and  it  becomes  incorporated 
with  his  moral  being,  and  his  spiritual  improvement 
is  obvious  to  all  around  him.  It  is  seen  that  his 
feelings  and  disposition  arc  formed  after  the  New 
Testament  model,  and  opponents  of  his  views  take 
knowledge  of  him  that  he  has  "been  with  Jesus," 
and  leanied  of  Ilim  who  is  "  meek  and  low  ly  in 
heart."  Among  the  graces  of  his  character  are 
courtesy,  gentleness,  forbearance,  condescension, 
kindness,  simplicity,  godly  sincerity.  lie  is  "  ten- 
der-hearted," "  kindly-affectioned,"  and  "  follows 
after  the  things  which  make  for  peace,  and  things 
whereby  one  may  edify  another."  The  sermon  on 
the  mount  he  has  heard  with  profit,  for  he  is  a 
living  illustration  of  its  practical  excellence.  The 
13 


146 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


lesson  of  Jesus  in  the  washing  of  his  disciples'  feet 
has  not  been  lost  npon  him,  for  its  sj^irit  is  wrought 
into  his  soul,  and  developed  in  his  life.  His  visits 
to  the  Garden  and  the  Cross  have  not  been  in  vain ; 
for  he  has  there  learned  to  endure  suffering  with- 
out a  murmur,  to  be  patient  under  goading  provo- 
cations, to  pray  for  his  harsliest  tormentors,  and  to 
surrender  all  to  the  will  of  his  Heavenly  Father. 
How  completely  is  his  moral  nature  baptized  into 
the  spirit  of  the  Bible ;  how'  thoroughly  is  he 
impregnated  with  its  subduing,  mellowing  influ- 
ence ;  how  suitable  a  candidate  is  he  for  member- 
ship in  that  One  Church  which  is  a  thing  of  the 
future ! 

4.  W'E  MAY  CHEERFULLY  SURRENDER  EVERYTIIIXG 
ADVERSE  TO  UNION  WHICH  WE  ARE  NOT  BOUND 
BY  OUR  ALLEGIANCE  TO  CHRIST  TO-  RETAIN. 

Under  this  head  may  be  reckoned  every  senti- 
ment or  practice  tliat  cannot  be  shown  to  be  scrip- 
tural ;  every  feature  in  our  general  polity  wliich 
we  may  know  to  be  of  human  origin  ;  everything 
that  interferes  with  the  healing  process,  and  is  not 
required  of  us  by  the  Master.  Surelj',  for  the  sake 
of  such  a  good  as  the  cordial  union  of  the  follow- 
ers of  Christ,  we  can  afford  to  surrender  whatever 
lies  outside  of  the   realm  of  prescribed  duty. 


CHRISTIAN  BUOTHERHOOD. 


147 


"  Yes,"  you  say,  and  all  say,  "  anything  but  Truth 
anil  Conscience."  Let  us,  then,  be  caudicl  and 
thorough  in  our  investigations,  and  detect  and 
repudiate  whatsoever  in  us  may  unnecessarily  hin- 
der the  reunion  of  a  fractured,  divided  Church. 

We  do  not,  for  we  cannot,  pretend  to  infallibil- 
ity. Such  an  assumption  we  leave  to  the  blinded 
papist,  and  to  his  foster  son  of  the  Oxford  family, 
who  welcomes  the  relation,  and  obsequiously 

 "dcxtra;   .   .  . 

Implicuit,  scquiturque  patrem  non  passibus  sequis." 

Dr.  Oswald  has  said  that  "the  possibility  of 
error  attends  every  mathematical  demonstration." 
This  possibility  may  be  predicated  of  everything 
human  ;  and  Christians  Avho  are  supposed  to  know 
their  own  weakness,  their  facility  of  aberration, 
and  their  exposure  to  misleading  influences,  are 
expected  to  be  the  last  to  claim  exemption  from 
this  universal  liability.  We  can  afford  to  be  the 
latest  of  the  last  to  assume,  either  directly  or  by 
implication,  that  the  whole  truth,  exclusive  of  all 
error,  is  assuredly  with  us.  However  willing  we 
may  be  to  submit  our  system  to  the  most  rigorous 
scrutiny,  we  lose  nothing  by  tiic  admission  that 
there  may  bo  mistakes  which  we  have  over- 
looked.   And  however  kindly  we  may  think  that 


I 

148  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 

we  feel  towards  other  tlenorainations,  and  liowever 
charitably  we  may  suppose  that  we  carry  ourselves 
towai'ds  them,  it  is  quite  possible  that  in  these 
rcsjjects  there  may  be  some  things  not  conform- 
able to  the  divine  standard. 

Those  who  are  under  the  influence  of  the  secta- 
rian spirit  are  unwilling  to  examine  their  religious 
scheme.  They  are  committed  to  its  support,  and 
their  humility  is  not  equal  to  the  trial  that  would 
ensue  upon  the  discovery  of  an  error,  which, 
knowing  it  to  be  such,  they  could  not  honestly 
retain.  But  what  is  the  benefit  of  a  retention  of 
error?  Truth  only  can  make  us  holier,  happier, 
more  useful.  It  is  for  our  interest  to  discover  and 
renounce  whatever  is  unscriptural,  and  we  should 
be  grateful  to  any  being.  Divine  or  human,  who 
might  assist  us  in  the  inirifying  j^i'ocess.  If  ours 
be  certainly  "the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints,"  then  may  we  "  earnestly  contend"  for  it 
against  all  encroachments  ;  but,  as  there  is  a  possi- 
bility that  it  may,  at  some  jioints,  be  eitlicr  more 
or  less  erroneous,  it  is  surely  befitting  that  our  zeal 
should  be  tempered  witli  carefulness  and  modesty. 
Tlie  main  stream  may  have  issued  absolutely  pm-e 
from  the  Fountain  of  Truth ;  but  rivulets  from 
other  fountains  are  constantly  seeking  to  become 
its  tributaries,  and  tliat  man  knows  little  of  the 
history  of  doctrinal  theology  and  of  Christian 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


149 


morals,  and  little  of  the  insinuating  power  of 
error,  who  apprehends  no  danger  of  the  infiltra- 
tion of  foreign  mixtures.  God  has,  in  his  goodness 
to  man,  kept  the  Bible  \mve.  Happy,  indeed,  if 
we  can  preserve  in  then-  purity  the  living  waters 
as  they  flow  in  the  channels  that  man  has  exca- 
vated. Hardly  here  can  we  be  too  vigilant,  too 
faithful. 

If  challenged  to  designate  any  particular  in  our 
system  Avhich  is  unscriptural  and  at  the  same  time 
an  obstacle  to  the  desirable  union  of  Christians,  I 
reply  that  such  a  service  would  be  alien  to  my 
design.  I  simply  commend  to  others  what  I  pro- 
pose to  myself —  self-censorshij).  If  we  rigorously 
examine  ourselves,  and  the  whole  ground  we 
occupy,  and  thoroughly  repudiate  whatsoever  is 
truly  objectionable,  we  take  an  important  step 
towards  the  contemplated  result.  "  For  if  we 
would  judge  ourselves,  we  should  not  be  judged." 
I  recjiiest  no  brother  to  surrender  any  jiart  of  the 
gospel,  be  it  cillier  doctrine  or  ^jrecept;  no,  not 
even  for  the  sake  of  peace ;  and  were  I  to  propose 
a  measure  involving  such  a  result,  liis  allegiance  to 
the  Saviour  should  prompt  him  to  rebuke  me  for 
the  unworthy  suggestion.  In  making  Christian 
union  the  altar  upon  whidi  lie  is  invited  to  lay  a 
sacrifice,  I  ask  not  that  Christian  truth  m;iy  be  the 
13* 


150 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


victim,  or  tliat  lie  may  be  tlie  ofEciatiiig  priest. 
But  I  do  entreat  him,  as  I  would  charge  myself 
before  God,  to  examine  with  candor,  and  see  if 
there  be  nothing  about  us  that  is  extra-evangel- 
ical, and  that  we  can  spare  in  perfect  consistency 
with  all  our  relations  to  Zion's  King  and  Zion's 
cause.  Whatever  denominational  jnide  may  sug- 
gest to  the  contrary,  let  ns  heed  rather  the  im- 
pulses of  Christian  love,  and  scrupulously  put  far 
away  every  such  element  of  evil.  We  constitute, 
in  this  country,  one  of  the  largest  portions  of 
Christ's  visible  Body.  Let  iis  renounce  every- 
thing that  disqualifies  us  for  a  happy  reunion  of 
the  dismembered  parts,  and  be  not  the  last,  but 
the  first,  to  take  our  jjlace  in  the  line  of  Truth 
and  Holiness,  awaiting  with  prayerful  hope  the 
hour  w^hen  the  world  shall  again  have  a  manifes- 
tation of  real  Christian  Brotherhood. 

5.  WE  MAY  CVREFtTLLY  REFRAIN  FROM  EVERY- 
THING THAT  MAY  UNNECESSARILY  TEND  TO 
WIDEN  THE  BREACH  AMONG  CHRISTIANS,  OR 
TEND  TO  PERPETUATE  ITS  CONTINUANCE. 

One  objectionable  feature  in  all  the  i)lans  for 
Christian  union  which  I  have  examined,  is  the 
aj^parent  confidence  with  which  certain  positions 
are  assumed  as  true  which  arc  really  jioints  in 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


151 


debate.  There  is  too  much  of  what  logicians  call 
petitio  2^}'inci2)n  —  the  taking  for  granted  of  a 
fundamental  proposition  which  remains  to  be 
proved.  Were  I  to  projiose  a  j^lan,  I  might  jier- 
petrate  the  same  mistake,  and  demand  of  others 
that  they  concur  with  me  touching  some  points  in 
relation  to  which  they  have  serious,  conscientious 
difficulties.  Hence  the  purpose  with  which  I  cora- 
mejiced,  to  abstain  from  the  exhibition  of  a  for- 
mal plan,  and  confiric  myself  mainly  to  sugges- 
tions that  presuppose  ourselves  as  well  as  others 
to  be  \mprepared  for  the  consideration  of  any 
such  plan.  There  cannot  be  union  imtil  there 
shall  be  agreement,  assimilation,  and  mutual  at- 
traction. "VYc  must  all  be  deeply  imbued  Avith 
the  spirit  of  Chi'ist,  and  conformed  in  i^rincijjle 
and  practice  to  the  Bible  standard  of  Christian 
character;  then  may  we  unite  and  cohere  with 
a  fair  jirosjiect  that  our  imion  will  be  permanent. 
But  never  can  the  desired  result  be  approached 
by  any  attempt  that  involves  this  olfensive  beg- 
ging of  the  question,  a  course  of  conduct  that 
generally  aggravates  the  original  difficulty.'  We 

'  The  treatise  of  the  lute  Dr.  I[;irn.s,  of  Kiif^land,  entitled 
"Christian  Union:  or  the  Divided  Cliurch  made  One,"  a  work 
of  great  ability,  and  commendable  spirit,  U  unhappily  distij;- 
intjd  by  several  of  these  unwarraiitablo  assumptions.  Vide 
liostou  ed.,  pp.  8.),  80,  110,  122,  etc.  • 


152 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


feel  ourselves  repelled  by  a  proposition  to  unite 
upon  terms  tliat  require  us  to  renounce  what  we 
consider,  and  are  known  to  consider,  as  gospel 
truth  or  gospel  duty.  "We  say,  if  wo  speak  at  all, 
that  "  We  desire  union  as  much  as  any  class  of 
Christians  upon  earth,  and  are  willing  to  make 
any  sacrifice  for  tlie  object  which  we  think  our 
Master  will  apjjrove ;  but  you  must  not  ask  us 
to  do  violence  to  our  convictions,  deliberately 
acquired  and  honestly  maintained."  Occujiying 
this  dignified  and  defensible  position,  we  should 
remember  that  others  may  be  as  conscientious 
and  as  sensitive  as  ourselves,  and  that  any  projjo- 
sition  for  union  coming  from  us  tliat  involves  a 
sacrifice  of  2^i"inciples  which  they  regard  as  im- 
portant, is  likely  to  receive  the  answer  which  we 
have  so  firmly  and  properly  given.  He  who 
would  promote  good  feeling,  and  draw  more 
closely  the  bonds  of  fraternal  confidence,  and 
open  most  widely  the  avenues  to  conviction,  must 
cautiously  abstain  from  all  trespass  upon  the  do- 
main of  Chi'istian  consciences.  "Come  over  to 
us,  and  we  will  be  one,"  may  S"cm  to  be  a  very 
simple  and  easy  mode  of  adjusting  the  whole 
matter ;  but  wherever  it  is  attemjited,  the  ]n-oba- 
bility  of  success  is  by  the  very  act  diminished. 
"  Come,  brethren  in  the  Lord,  let  us  examine  the 
wliole  subject  of  our  .agreements  and  our  differ- 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


153 


mces,  and  let  us  pray  together  for  light  and 
u:race,"  would  be  a  far  more  courteous  i-yrojiosition, 
■iiid  a  more  likely  mode  of  reuniting  and  healing 
the  broken  ligaments. 

Other  denominations  have  sometimes  spoken  of 
us  with  severity  as  uncharitable,  bigoted,  exclu- 
sive. May  not  some  of  this  have  been  provoked 
by  the  manner  in  which  we  have  spoken  of  them? 
The  question  is  not  gratuitous,  and  should  lead  to 
inquiry.  Wc  are  accustomed,  I  believe,  to  attrib- 
ute their  bitter  utterances  to  other  causes  more 
nearly  connected  with  our  distinctive  belief  and 
practice ;  but  let  us  candidly  inquire  if  some  of 
the  responsibility  may  not  belong  to  ourselves, 
and  if  at  this  j^oint  there  may  not  be  gain  both  to 
ourselves  and  to  the  cause  of  God  by  greater  care- 
fulness. Where  there  is  en'or,  show  it;  where 
there  is  wrong  reprove  it;  "considering  thyself 
lest  thou  also  be  tempted."  But  let  us  abstain 
from  the  use  of  harsh  judgments  and  reproachful 
epithets,  which  only  irritate  and  provoke  retalia- 
tion. It  would  seem  as  if  some  men  —  Christians 
they  are  called  —  had  "no  greater  joy"  than  to 
see  how  their  opponents  will  smart  and  Avrithe 
under  their  stinging  sarcasms.  Surely,  their  only 
motive  for  the  discharge  of  such  barbed  missiles 
must  bo  self-gratification ;  for  they  are  not  caj)able 
of  supposing  that  any  real  good  to  others,  or  any 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


glory  to  God,  can  result  from  this  conduct.  Arc 
tlie  wounded  convinced  of  error,  or  more  inclined 
to  embrace  the  vieAvs  of  such  assailants  ?  Is  any 
truth  develo2)ed  or  recommended  by  this  process  ? 
Is  the  Saviour  pleased  with  such  acts,  or  such  a 
spirit  ?  And  who  are  these  wounded  ones  ?  Are 
they  not  the  discii^les  of  Jesus?  And  is  it  not 
possible  that  through  them  the  envenomed  points 
have  reached  and  pierced  the  Master  of  us  all  ? 

If  we  desire  to  convert  to  our  views  others 
whom  we  regard  as  in  error,  but  little  knowledge 
of  human  nature  is  requisite  to  show  us  that  our 
truly  politic  course  is  to  avoid  everything  like 
sneer,  ridicule,  or  denunciation.  "A  brotlicr  of- 
fended is  harder  to  be  won  tlian  a  strong  city." 
Their  views  may  be  unscriptural  and  of  pernicious 
tendency;  but  what  is  the  most  effectual  mode 
of  soliciting  attention  to  these  facts,  and  produc- 
ing in  their  minds  the  couAaction  that  shall  lead 
to  the  desired  changes  ?  Every  man  can  instantly 
decide  ujwn  the  expedient  course,  which  here  is 
the  right  course,  by  one  lioacst  inquiry  of  his 
own  heart.  By  omitting  all  that  can  give  unnec- 
essary pain,  and  adojiting  the  language,  tone,  and 
manner  of  true  Cliristian  kindness,  Ave  conciliate, 
attract,  and  endear.  I  may  be  told  that  others 
are  often  the  aggressors,  and  tliat  we  arc  only 
showing  a  becoming  resentment,  paying  them  iu 


CHRISTIAN  BROTIIEEnOOD. 


155 


their  own  coin.  Indeed!  and  have  yve  forgotten 
•what  the  Saviour  says  of  retaliation,  of  non-resist- 
ance, of  forgiveness,  of  "  forbearing  one  another 
in  love,"  of  the  charity  that  "is  not  easily  pro- 
voked" but  "endureth  all  things?"  "Becoming 
resentment!"  "What  words  are  these  fi-om  lips 
that  monthly  or  bi-monthly  press  the  cup  of  com- 
munion, and  that  were  taught  in  early  life  to  lisp 
the  Lord's  prayer!  Have  we  yet  to  leara  the 
lesson,  "Be  not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome 
evil  with  good?"  The  reflex  influence  of  kind 
words  and  acts  upon  our  own  hearts  is  softening 
and  soothing;  tipon  the  hearts  of  others,  subdu- 
ing and  melting and  such  hearts  soon  clasp  and 
throb  in  unison.  Call  a  brother  an  oijponent,  and 
treat  him  as  such,  and,  whatever  he  was,  unless 
he  has  a  large  measure  of  the  spirit  of  Christ, 
he  becomes  an  opponent,  and  places  himself  in 
an  attitude  of  resistance,  if  not  of  defiance.  But, 
allow  him  the  name  by  which  he  chooses  to  be 
called  ;  concede  to  him  the  right  of  jirivate  judg- 
ment ;  attribute  to  him  no  motives  which  he  disa- 
vows ;  assume  no  aii-s  of  superiority,  but  ajjproach 
him  as  an  equal ;  respect  the  delicacy  of  his  con- 
science, and  reason  with  him  in  the  spirit  of  fra- 
ternal gentleness  and  alfection,  —  and  lie  is  surely 
one  of  that  small  class  of  the  intractable  and  irre- 
claimable, if  he  does  not  reciprocate  your  spirit. 


156 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


and  welcome  with  gratitude  the  very  impressions 
which  you  would  faiu  leave  ujiou  his  mind. 

Much  of  that  feeling  among  Christians  which 
2)asses  by  the  sacred  name  of  Charity,  is  little 
else  than  masked  disaffection,  and,  stripped  of 
its  disguise,  would  be  denominated  hyjjocrisy. 
Wliat  Leighton  says  of  Humility,  that  he  never 
lioard  it  discoursed  upon  in  an  humble  manner, 
is  quite  as  true  of  this  much-abused,  dishonored 
C'hai'ity,  which  is  often  the  most  misrepresented 
in  spirit  by  those  who  commend  it  most  in  word ; 
it  is  exi)lained  and  recommended  in  a  most  un- 
cJiaritable  way.  You,  my  brother,  I  venture  to 
say,  have  read  many  a  book,  and  heard  many  a 
sermon,  and  listened  to  many  a  conversation  upon 
Charity  that  exposed  a  painful  deficiency  of  the 
lovely  grace.  The  uncharitable  —  that  is,  all  such 
as  do  not  agree  with  the  writer  or  the  speaker  — 
are  considered  as  fair  game,  and  every  now  and 
then  there  is  a  cut  or  a  thrust  which  somebody 
must  feel  to  the  heart's  centre.  Alas!  liow  im- 
perfect we  arc !  IIow  often  we  arc  the  victims 
of  self-deception !  Here  is  a  point  of  sjiecial  dan- 
ger where  wo  need  to  set  a  double  guard.  Malig- 
nity, hidden  behind  a  Christian  grace,  shoots  en- 
venomed arrows,  and  injury  is  done  which  brings 
that  grace  into  disrepute.    Unless  our  Charity 


CHRISTIAX  BROTHERHOOD. 


157 


is  genuine,  let  us  not  talk  of  it.  If  it  be  genuine, 
it  needs  no  talk.  It  is  eminently  a  i)ractical  grace, 
and  shows  itself  sufficiently  in  tone,  temper,  and 
action.  They  who  have  the  most  of  it  are  gen- 
erally the  least  aware  of  it  themselves,  and  there- 
fore never  boast  of  it. 

We  all  profess  to  deplore  the  schisms  among 
Christians,  and  to  desire  that  they  may  be  healed ; 
and  yet,  how  often  do  we  hear  regrets  and  wishes 
upon  this  subject  accompanied  by  expressions  of 
the  most  schismatical  tendency.  It  is  too  com- 
mon to  endeavor  to  fix  on  others  the  guilt  of 
schism,  and  to  represent  ourselves  as  the  innocent 
victims  of  the  wrong.  I  well  recollect  an  instance 
in  which  a  considerable  number  of  Christians  of 
different  denominations  agreed  to  meet  once  a 
month  on  the  broad  basis  of  their  "  maximum  of 
agreement,"  and  pray  and  labor  jointly  for  the 
advancement  of  religion  in  tlie  place  of  their  resi- 
dence. They  desired,  they  said,  to  draw  more 
closely  the  bonds  of  Christian  fellowship,  and 
sliow  to  the  world  that,  in  the  main,  they  were 
agreed  and  united.  At  tlu>  first  meeting  remarks 
were  made  by  the  presiding  clcrgj-man  with  re- 
spect to  the  origin  of  divisions  among  Christians, 
and  the  causes  which  prevent  an  entire  and  cordial 
union,  that  deeply  wounded  many  present,  and 
14 


158 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEKHOOD, 


proved  fatal  to  the  whole  project.  What  is  the 
real  value  of  an  union,  where  each  constituent 
denomination  says,  ""VYe  are  disposed  to  enter 
into  the  j^rojiosed  combination,  but  we  do  it  with 
the  distinct  understanding  that  we  are  right  and 
you  are  wrong  ?  " 

You,  my  brother,  have  doubtless  admired  those 
beautiful  and  affecting  words  which  Milton  rei:)rc- 
sents  Adam  as  addressing  to  Eve,  after  they  had 
wearied  themselves  and  wounded  each  other  with 
mutual  complaints  and  recriminations : 

"  But,  rise ;  let  us  no  more  contend,  nor  blame 
Each  other,  blamed  enough  elsewhere;  but  strive, 
In  offices  of  love,  how  we  may  lighten 
Each  other's  burden  iu  oiu-  share  of  woe.' 

And  you  have  admired  still  more  the  address  of 
Abraham  to  his  kinsman.  Lot,  —  an  address  which 
has  acquired  for  him  the  designation  of  "  The  first 
gentleman,"  as  for  other  reasons  he  is  called  "  The 
Father  of  the  Faithful:" — "Let  there  be  no  strife, 
I  pray  thee,  between  me  and  thee,  and  between 
my  herdraen  and  thy  herdraen ;  for  we  are  breth- 
ren." Investigation  might  have  led  to  a  dis- 
covery of  the  original  offender,  and  tlie  true  guilt 
of  each  party  might  have  been  asceitained.  But 
cui  bono?  "Where  would  have  been  the  advan- 
tage of  such  a  result?    Justice  might  have  been 


CHRISTIAN  BKOTHERHOOD. 


159 


administered,  but  alienation  and  animosity  would 
have  been  deepened  and  perpetuated.  "Where 
Ues  the  responsibility?"  is,  I  admit,  a  question 
of  some  importance;  but  is  it  not  far  better,  if 
we  sincerely  desii'e  the  restoration  of  harmony, 
for  every  party  to  confine  the  inquiry  to  itself, 
and  thus  avoid  everything  like  criminatiou  and 
reproach  ? 

Controversy  may  sometimes  be  unavoidable, 
and,  within  certain  limits,  and  governed  by  cer- 
tain rules,  it  may  be  useful.  It  lias  been  said  to 
be  "  the  wind  by  which  truth  is  winnowed,"  and 
also  that,  by  the  collision  of  mind  with  mind  in 
the  process,  "the  sparks  of  truth  are  elicited." 
But  the  history  of  sixteen  centuries  will  show 
conclusively  that  whatever  may  be  its  advantages 
in  other  departments,  its  utility  in  the  Cliristian 
Church  is  extremely  limited.  Strange  as  it  may 
seem,  yet  honesty  requires  the  admission,  that  re- 
ligious controversies  liave  often  l)ecu  distinguished 
by  peculiar  acrimony  and  bitterness.  Who  does 
not  know  that  even  now  they  inflict  wounds  that 
fester  long  and  decjdy,  and  heal  slowly  and  im- 
jicrfectly?  Who  has  not  witnessed  the  exasper- 
ation of  feeling  produced  by  a  single  tract  or 
])amphlet,  not  by  the  clearness  or  cogency  of  its 
arguments,  but  by  the  rasping  character  of  its 


160 


CHRISTIAN  BIIOTHEKHOOD, 


hints  and  surmises,  implications  and  caricatures? 
Mischief  is  sometimes  done  by  a  uewspajjer  jiara- 
graph  of  twenty  lines,  that  cannot  in  a  Avhole 
generation  be  repaired. 

It  is  a  delightful  fact  that  controversy  among 
the  evangelical  denominations  has  of  late  years  as- 
sumed a  milder  form,  and  therefore  produces  less 
of  inflammation.  Its  spirit  has  become  subdued, 
and  far  more  candid,  as  if  brethren  were  dealing 
not  with  carnivorous  antagonists,  but  with  brethren, 
the  children  of  one  Father.  Certainly,  on  our  own 
side,  we  have  occasion  to  bo  grateful  that  the  dis- 
cussion of  one  class  of  disputed  subjects  has  fallen 
into  tlie  hands  of  such  men  as  Baldwin,  Chapin, 
Judson,  Ripley,  Jewett,  Hague  and  Curtis.  Of 
their  argumentation  I  say  nothing  ;  .of  the  temper 
exhibited  in  their  productions  I  might  speak  in 
terms  of  the  highest  commendation.  And  upon 
all  questions,  Avliether  of  Christian  doctrine  or  of 
ecclesiastical  polity,  the  spirit  of  controversy  has 
undergone  a  fivorable  modification.  Misrei:)resen- 
tation  and  M'holesalc  abuse  are  not  so  common  as 
formerly,  and  Christians  can  oppose  one  another's 
])rinciplcs  and  practices  with  less  of  personalitj-,  and 
loss  of  unjust,  gratuitous  insinuation.  "  Iler  Lady- 
sliip  of  Babylon  "  is  not  so  frequently  named  as  tlie 
foster-mother  of  all  denominations  but  one,  and 
reproachful  epithets  are  current  at  less  value  tliaii 


CHKISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


161 


in  the  days  of  our  fathers.  God  grant  that  these 
improvements  may  proceed,  and  that  the  time  may 
speedily  come  when  everything  unnecessarily  vexa- 
tious and  irritating  shall  be  discarded,  and  when 
all  comparisons  of  opinions  and  all  discussions  of 
differences  shall  be  conducted  in  the  gentle  and 
generous  spirit  of  the  gospel.  How  comprehensive 
and  yet  how  definite  that  phrase  from  an  Apostle's 
pen,  specifically  translated,  "  Speaking  the  truth  m 
love"  — u\r]9evovT€';  eV  ayaTrj;,  —  truthing  in  love, — 
being,  thinking,  feeling,  speaking,  acting  affection- 
ately true,  at  all  times,  in  all  places,  to-wards  all 
persons ! 

Is  it  not  possible  that  we  may  sometimes,  with 
wrong  intentions,  or  in  a  wrong  spirit,  remind 
olhors  how  unkindly  their  ancestors  treated  our 
fathers  ?  History  certainly  tells  some  exciting 
tales  upon  this  subject ;  but  is  it  pi-ofitable  to  our- 
selves, or  to  the  cause  of  God,  to  remember  them, 
and  to  use  them  either  for  attack  or  defence  in  de- 
nominational controversy  ?  Those  who  i)erpetrated 
ilie  foul  wrongs,  like  the  victims  of  their  severity, 
have  all  gone  to  a  world  where  wrong  is  e<iuitably 
rectified,  and  right  satisfactorily  vindicated.  Tiie 
successors  of  those  persecutors  are  no  more  the 
iiilieritors  of  tlieir  guilt,  than  mc  are  partakers 
of  the  sufferings  of  our  abused  iiredccessors.  Let 
14* 


162 


CHRISTIAN  BKOTHEKHOOD. 


US  rejoice  that  a  change  has  come  over  the  once 
oppressive  and  persecuting  sects;  and,  so  long  as 
they  exhibit  not  the  spirit,  and  justify  not  the  mis- 
deeds, of  their  fatlicrs,  let  us  not  taunt  them  with 
their  ecclesiastical  lineage,  or  liold  them  responsible 
for  wrongs  in  whicli  they  did  not  participate,  and 
ill  the  condenmation  of  which  they  may  be  as  sin- 
cere as  ourselves. 

We  are  every  year  receiving  into  our  Chiu'ches 
ministers  and  private  members  who  have  seen  occa- 
sion, as  the  result  of  new  views,  to  change  their 
ecclesiastical  relations  by  embracing  our  principles 
and  adopting  our  distinctive  practice.  It  is  very 
natural  for  us  to  be  pleased  when  such  changes 
occur,  and  to  refer  to  them  as  corroborative  proof 
of  the  correctness  of  our  system.  Surely,  it  is  said, 
if  the  evidence  did  not  preponderate  very  much  in 
our  favor,  such  persons  would  not  have  yielded 
to  it  all  their  prejudices  of  education,  or  sacrificed 
so  freely  their  social  interest,  or  exposed  themselves 
to  so  much  obloquy  from  their  former  associates. 
IJut,  in  proclaiming  the  fiicts,  is  it  necessary  to 
speak  as  if  signal  victories  had  been  gained  ? 
From  the  prominence  given  to  such  cases,  the  in- 
ference is  drawn  tliat  more  importance  is  attached 
to  acquisitions  of  this  kind  than  to  conversions 
from   the  world.     The  ordinary  clFect  of  such 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD.  163 


boasting  is  irritaUon  of  feeling  and  provocation 
to  a  more  embittered  resistance,  if  hot  to  reprisals. 
Just  in  proportion  as  we  magnify  the  value  of  such 
converts,  will  others  be  likely  to  detract  from  their 
worth,  and  hold  them  up  to  the  world  as  losses 
of  minor  consequence.  In  disputes  about  loss 
and  gain,  the  Avarfare  is  likely  to  become  personal, 
damaging  the  reputation  and  diminishing  the  future 
influence  of  the  seccders ;  or,  if  character  escape 
unscathed,  they  are  liable,  under  such  a  goading 
process,  to  be  driven  to  an  extreme,  and  to  become 
the  most  fierce  and  intolerant  of  all  sectarians. 
"  He  that  departcth  from  evil  maketh  himself  a 
prey."  But,  whatever  the  effect  upon  the  individ- 
uals concerned,  the  almost  certain  result  is  an 
aggravation  of  party  spirit.  The  breach  that  sep- 
arates Christians,  like  the  fosse  in  military  forti- 
fications, is  made  broader  and  deeper  and  more 
impassable  than  ever;  and  the  very  bridge  over 
which  these  bretiiren  passed  in  their  transition  is 
hewn  away,  and  the  probability  of  further  conver- 
sions is  greatly  diminished.  IIow  much  more 
Christian-like,  and  how  much  more  pacific  in  its 
tondencios,  would  be  our  conduct,  if  in  such  cases 
we  sliould  carefully  abstain  from  everything  like 
exultation  or  triumph  !  IIow  much  more  certain 
might  wc  bo  of  the  approving  smile  of  our  Lord ; 
how  much  more  conservative  and  healing  would 


164 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


be  our  influence  on  his  riven,  bleeding  Body !  By 
pursuing  this  prudent  and  conciliatory  course,  I 
see  not  that  we  yield  anything  of  principle,  or  that 
we  compromise  any  interest  of  our  adorable  Mas- 
ter. On  the  contrary,  we  should,  I  cannot  doubt, 
subserve  the  best  interests  of  that  kingdom  whicli 
is  not  of  this  world,  and  which  needs  not  the  spirit 
of  this  world  for  its  advancement.  I  plead  for 
nothing  cowardly  or  craven-hearted.  Let  us  not 
flinch  from  the  manly  defence  and  tlie  wide-spread 
projjagation  of  the  Avhole  truth  as  we  derive  it 
from  the  Word  of  God.  Let  us  pour  abroad  the 
whole  current  of  our  moral  power  in  order  to  bring 
aU  men  to  "  the  knowledge  of  the  tru'di,"  and  to 
"  the  obedience  of  Christ ; "  and  then,  if  otlier 
Christians  fall  in  with  us,  singly  or  in  groups,  v,-c 
may  certainly  be  both  pleased  and  grateful.  But 
let  us,  as  followers  of  Him  who  studied  more  to 
soothe  than  to  irritate,  more  to  j^jcrsuade  and  alhire 
thau  to  provoke  and  repel,  be  cautious  as  to  tlie 
language  Ave  employ,  the  measures  we  adopt,  and 
the  spirit  Ave  exhibit.  Let  the  victories,  great  or 
small,  which  the  truth  achieves,  all  go  to  grace,  not 
our  triumpli,  but  tlie  Saviour's. 

Learned  men  of  otlicr  denominations  have  made 
extraordinary  concessions  touching  our  interpreta- 
tion of  certain  Greek  terms  In  tlie  Xcav  Testament, 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


165 


as  also  with  respect  to  the  conformity  of  our  pe- 
culiar practice  to  the  meaning  of  those  terms,  and 
to  apostolic  and  ancient  usage.  These  concessions 
are  certainly  of  some  value  in  argument ;  but  it 
may  fairly  be  questioned  if  we  have  not  sometimes 
employed  them  disingenuously,  and  in  a  way  more 
fitted  to  offend  than  to  convince.  It  is  hardly 
honorable  to  select  detached  sentences,  or  frag- 
ments of  sentences,  and  so  remove  them  from  their 
connections  as  to  make  them  express  more,  or  less, 
or  something  else,  than  the  author  intended  to  con- 
vey. Some  writers  have  complained  of  our  in- 
justice in  this  particular ;  and  it  is  not  improbable 
that  hereafter,  in  their  attempts  to  avoid  the  jjos- 
sibility  of  misrepresentation,  authors  may  be  less 
candid. 

We  are  accustomed  to  speak  freely,  perhaps 
sometimes  complacently,  of  our  great  and  rapidly 
increasing  numbers ;  and  we  not  unfrequently  do 
it  in  such  relations  and  in  such  a  manner  as  to  indi- 
cate that  hundreds  of  thousands  are  a  very  strong 
argument.  Once  we  were  few  and  feeble,  and 
claimed  to  be  regarded  as  the  "little  flock"  to 
whom  was  promised  the  kingdom.  Now,  we  are 
so  large  a  people,  and  annually  increasing  by  such 
numerous  additions,  that  surely  the  Lord  must  be 
on  our  side,  and  we  must  be  his  special  favorites. 


166 


CURISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


We  have  indeed  an  immense  number  of  commu- 
nicants, and  it  would  be  occasion  for  joy  could  we 
see  that  they  are  distinguished  for  personal  godli- 
ness, for  a  high  order  of  religious  culture,  for 
united  vicforous  efforts  to  evanG^elize  the  world. 
Considering  well  the  real  facts,  have  we  not  occa- 
sion for  humility  and  solicitude  ?  It  is  a  very 
serious  question  if  our  numerical  strength  is  not 
likely  to  prove  our  moral  weakness,  and,  conse- 
quently, if  our  anticipations  of  a  glorious  future 
should  not  be  moderate.  "Why,  then,  should  we, 
by  such  frequent  reference  to  growing  numbers, 
minister  nutriment  to  denominational  pride,  and 
institute  comparisons  adapted,  if  not  intended,  to 
mortify  other  sects,  by  reminding  them  of  their 
numerical  inferiority?  Bad  passions  are  stimulated 
on  both  sides,  and  obstacles  to  a  greater  Christian 
fraternity  are  multiplied. 

Pointed  arguments  to  incite  our  Churches  to 
benevolent  activity  are  often  derived  from  secta- 
rian sources.  "Other  denominations  are  active, 
and,  unless  we  move  with  greiiter  speed  and  en- 
ergy, will  take  the  ground."  "Other  denomina- 
tions arc  supplying  the  destitute  with  ministers, 
and  schools,  and  books,  and,  unless  we  bestir  our- 
selves, we  shall  bo  left  far  in  the  rear."  Such 
motives  we  hear  urged,  and  often  with  greater 


CHRISTIAN"  liUOTHERHOOD. 


167 


earnestness  tlian  the  higher  considerations,  —  the 
command  of  Christ,  the  vahie  of  souls,  the  obli- 
gations of  humanity.  These  appeals  may  not 
harm  other  denominations,  except,  perhaps,  by 
goading  them  on  to  additional  efforts  for  the 
lengthening  of  their  own  sectarian  cords,  and  the 
strengthening  of  their  sectarian  stakes.  But  their 
influence  upon  our  own  people  is  not  of  the  most 
healthful  kind.  They  leam  to  regard  others  as 
our  competitors  for  teiritorj',  and  to  consider  as 
lost  every  acquisition  which  othere  may  make,  or 
may  prevent  us  from  making.  They  learn  to  look 
upon  the  religious  enterprises  of  the  different  sects 
as  struggles  for  precedence,  —  as  the  means  of 
extending  and  strengthening  party  influence ;  and 
their  contributions  are  liable  to  be  made,  not  so 
much  for  the  advancement  of  Christ's  kingdom, 
or  the  salvation  of  souls,  as  for  the  pushing  for- 
ward of  denominational  aggi-essions,  and  the  pre- 
occupancy  of  co^•eted  territory.  The  moral  bear- 
ing of  such  appeals  to  the  spirit  of  sect  can  easily 
bo  apprehended.  The  effect  must  ever  be  such 
as  the  lovers  of  tnie  benevolence  and  Christian 
harmony  will  deplore.  How  much  better,  in  all 
respects,  would  it  be  to  say :  "  Come,  brethren  in 
the  Lord,  redeemed  by  precious  blood,  let  us  con- 
sider our  duty  to  Christ  and  to  perishing  men, 
and  enter  vigorously  upon  its  faithful  perfonnance. 


168 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


Our  brethren  of  other  cleuomiuations  are  in  the 
field,  and  laboring  with  commendable  zeal  and 
encouraging  success.  God  honors  their  efforts 
with  his  Spirit's  blessing,  and  they  are  doing  an 
immense  amount  of  good.  Let  us  gird  ourselves 
for  the  service,  and  go  forth  where  others  have 
not  gone,  and  endeavor  to  do  the  work  assigned 
us  by  our  Master.  Time  is  short,  and  our  period 
of  labor  is  hastening  to  its  conclusion.  Sinners 
all  over  the  world  are  djdng  and  passing  away 
to  the  retributions  of  eternity.  Let  us  not  linger. 
Constrained  by  love  to  Christ  and  love  to  souls, 
let  us  act  with  promptness  and  energy,  and  en- 
deavor, before  we  go  to  our  final  account,  to  do 
something  for  the  salvation  of  men  and  the  glory 
of  our  Redeemer."^  ^ 

"  The  Jews  have  no  dealings  with  the  Samari- 
tans." This  brief  statement  reveals  much  respect- 
ing not  only  the  spirit  that  prevailed  in  those 
parties,  but  also  the  means  by  which  that  spirit 
was  kept  aUvc  and  active.    In  their  secular,  as 

1  Andrew  Fuller  travelled  much  in  England  and  Scotl.ind  on 
behalf  of  the  Serampore  ]\Iissioii.  It  is  said  that  he  took  the 
largest  collcptions  when  he  preached  on  the  love  of  Christ,  and 
made  no  reference  to.  any  lower  class  of  motives.  He  bore 
to  the  treasury  many  a  liberal  gift  from  persons  of  various 
denominations. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


169 


well  as  tbeir  spiritual  affairs,  they  avoided  all 
intercourse.  They  were  shy  of  each  other's  soci- 
ety, and  studiously  refrained  fi'om  everything  that 
might  soften  the  asperity  of  their  hatred,  and  lead 
to  some  reciprocity  of  kind  offices.  Thus  was 
the  breach  between  them  widened  year  by  year, 
and  Gerizim  and  Jerusalem  became  more  and 
more  the  rallying  points  of  hated  and  hating 
partisans.  And  have  you  not,  my  brother,  wit- 
nessed a  propensity  among  religious  sects  to  con- 
fine their  social  intercourse  and  their  secular  pat- 
ronage within  sectarian  limits?  Have  you  not 
seen  men  in  every  line  of  business  expecting  and 
receiving  the  preference,  solely  on  denominational 
grounds?  And  have  you  not  seen  the  effect  of 
all  this  upon  Christian  character,  contracting  the 
heart,  narrowing  the' circle  in  which  the  sympa- 
thies play,  and<giving  to  the  whole  moral  being 
an  aspect  of  illiberality  and  cxclusiveness  alto- 
gether unlovely?  I  submit  tlie  question,  if  to 
counteract  these  anti-social  tendencies  of  the  spirit 
of  sect,  we  ought  not  to  take  special  pains  to 
bring  Christians  of  diffci'ent  denominations  more 
together,  and  to  secure  more  of  that  familiar  ac- 
quainfjince  wliich  we  all  believe  would  produce 
favorable  results?  And  should  we  not  render 
good  serv  ice  to  the  Christian  cause  by  regarding 
less  than  we  do,  in  the  distribution  of  our  social 
15 


170 


CHRISTIAN  BEOTHEEHOOD. 


attentions  and  our  secular  patronage,  the  influ- 
ence of  sectarian  considerations  ?  The  law  of 
brotherly  love  may  justify  many  preferences;  but 
the  danger  lies  in  the  limitation  of  our  brotherly 
love  within  too  small  a  circle.  It  is  bad  enough 
that  the  lines  of  division  ai'e  so  distinct  in  our 
ecclesiastical  organizations.  Why  should  these 
lines  run  through  social  and  commercial  life,  and 
keep  Christians  of  difterent  names  fi'om  coming 
in  contact  at  any  point  ?  Is  there  nowhere  upon 
earth  an  unexceptionable  place  wlicre  those  who 
may  waiTautably  hoj^e  to  meet  in  heaven,  may 
come  together,  and  look  one  another  in  the  face, 
and  read  in  one  another's  character  the  linea- 
ments of  a  holy  relationship? 

6.  "WE  ilAT  COOPERATE  WITH  ALL  CHRISTIANS  IN 
EVERYTHING  NOT  INTERDICTED  BY  THE  LAWS 
OF  CHRIST. 

The  laws  by  which  our  conduct,  as  citizens  of 
Zion,  is  to  be  governed,  we  ascertiSn,  not  from  our 
covenant  engagements  to  any  particular  Church, 
not  from  any  usages  of  our  denomination,  not 
from  any  Declaration  or  Confession  drawn  up  by 
men,  however  wise  or  holy, —  but  from  the  Word 
of  God,  candidly  and  prayerfully  examined  by 
ourselves.    "  There  is  one  Lawgiver,"  the  Lord 


CHRISTIAN  BUOTHERHOOD. 


171 


Jesus  Christ,  and  he  allows  no  one  to  stand  be- 
tween him  and  his  subjects  as  the  authoritative 
interpreter  of  his  laws.  The  interpretations  of 
neither  the  minister  nor  the  Church  are  binding 
upon  the  mcnnbership,  Christ,  as  Legislator  and 
Judge,  holds  us  individually  and  directly  responsi- 
ble, both  for  a  right  imderstanding  of  his  laws, 
and  for  comjDlete  obedience  to  their  requirements. 
Our  allegiance  to  him  is  paramoimt  to  all  other; 
and  we  have  no  right  to  enter  into  a»y  associa- 
tion, or  become  subject  to  any  authority,  that 
will  interfere  with  entiie  submission  to  his  will 
as  expressed  in  his  inspired  Word.  No  Church 
or  combination  of  Churches,  no  minister  or  con- 
vention of  ministers,  not  even  "The  Denomina- 
tion,"— that  great,  indefinite  abstraction, — has  any 
•prerogative  in  the  department  of  conscience,  either 
to  make  new  laws  for  the  regulation  of  our  Chris- 
tian condupt,  or  to  suspend  any  law  which  Christ 
has  given  us.  The  statement  that  fell  from  his 
own  lips  is  worthy  of  repetition :  "  One  is  your 
Master,  even  Christ,  and  all  ye  arc  brethren."  By 
becoming  acquainted  with  bis  will,  we  shall  know 
how  far  we  may  proceed  in  any  direction,  and  be 
able  to  determine,  on  all  occasions,  the  prescribed 
boundaries  within  which  our.  action  must  be  faith- 
fully confined.  If  wo  arc  desirous  to  know  what, 
in  any  given  case,  wc  should  do,  Jesus  says  ex- 


172 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


pressly  to  every  one  of  us,  as  he  did  to  the  law- 
yer, "  What  is  written  in  the  Law  ?  How  readest 
thou  ?  "  He  authorizes  us  to  exjject  no  new  reve- 
lation, but  ever  remands  us  to  the  one  we  have. 
If  we  would  ascertain  the  limits  of  our  responsi- 
bility, and  discover  the  line  beyond  which  we 
must  not  go,  even  though  prompted  by  the  best 
of  motives  and  treading  in  the  steps  of  the  best 
of  men,  we  hear  our  Master  saying,  "  Search  the 
Scriptures,  —  they  contain  the  statutes  of  my 
kingdom."  If  we  would  discover  the  spirit  by 
Avhich  we  should  be  governed  in  our  intercourse 
with  the  Church  and  the  world,  this  also  is  mat- 
ter of  Law,  and  every  necessary  direction  will 
be  found  in  the  l^ew  Testament. 

It  is  not  for  me  to  specify  how  far  any  one, 
beside  myself,  may  go  in  his  intercourse  and  coop- 
eration with  Christians  of  other  sects;  for  this 
would  be  an  invasion  of  the  sacred  domain  of 
his  conscience,  an  unwarrantable  interposition  of 
my  private  ojjinion  between  him  and  his  s])iritual 
Sovereign.  I  can  determine  for  myself  the  ex- 
tent and  the  limitations  of  my  own  duty,  and  no 
man  or  body  of  men,  secular  or  religious,  shall 
dictate  to  me  my  duty  in  this  or  any  other  de- 
partment of  Christian  action.  I  shall  make  up 
ray  own  estimate  of  the  courtesies  which  I  owe 
to  the  disciples  of  Jesus  of  every  name,  and  shall 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


173 


piu'sue  that  course  of  conduct  which  accords  with 
the  laws  of  Christ  as  I  understand  them.  This 
right  I  have  surrendered  to  no  denomination,  no 
voUmtary  association,  no  Church.  It  is  inherent 
and  inahenable  by  virtue  of  my  sonsliip  in  Christ ; 
and  it  is  the  indefeasible  right  of  every  Christian 
disciple. 

And  yet  I  suppose  I  may,  without  assumption  or 
immodesty,  exhort  my  fellow-disciples  to  inquire 
carefully,  and  see  if  we  cannot,  consistently  with 
our  allegiance  to  the  Son  of  God,  and  in  ways  that 
will  be  pleasing  to  him,  exhibit  towards  other 
denominations  more  of  the  truly  fraternal  spu-it 
than  we  have  sometimes  manifested,  and  make 
some  additional  advances  towards  that  union  which 
all  the  truly  spiritual  admit  to  be  desirable.  I  ask 
them  not,  as  I  would  not  be  myself  asked,  to 
transcend  any  scriptural  limitations ;  but  I  surely 
may  cntrc^it  them  to  exanune  anew,  and  decide  for 
themselves  if  the  friends  of  Christ  cannot  be  more 
familiar  with  one  another,  more  affectionate  in  their 
intercoui-se,  more  disposed  to  join  their  forces  in 
efforts  for  the  advancement  of  the  conmion  cause. 
It  might  not  l)c  wholly  pertinent  for  me  to  iiupiire 
how  Christ  and  his  Apostles  would  act  in  this  mat- 
ter, were  they  to  reiippear  on  the  earth  and  bo 
placed  in  our  circumstances,  for  that  is  a  point  con- 
cerning which  no  one  could  give  a  better  answer 
15* 


174 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


than  his  own  opinion ;  and  yet  it  is  well  often  to  ■ 
propose  the  qnestion,  and  to  bring  our  minds,  with 
such  light  as  we  have,  to  the  formation  of  an 
opinion  that  may  have  some  bearing  upon  our 
conduct.  It  is  certainly  better  than  to  ask  the 
advice  of  any  sectarian  in  Christendom.  But  the 
true  course,  unquestionably,  is  to  consult  the  teach- 
ings and  the  life  of  Christ,  and  the  instructions  and 
examples  of  his  inspired  Apostles,  and  thus,  in  the 
fear  of  God,  and  in  full  view  of  our  responsibility 
to  the  Head  of  the  Churcli,  discover  for  ourselves 
individually  the  jjath  of  duty,  and  ever  walk  in 
it  with  all  humility  and  firmness.  If  we  enter  upon 
this  investigation  divested  of  the  sjiirit  of  sect,  and 
resolved,  as  duty  may  seem  to  be  indicated,  to  act, 
fearless  of  all  denunciation,  domestic  or  foreign, 
we  may  find  that  our  views  upon  this  subject  have 
been  too  narrow,  and  our  policy  too  restricted.  I 
say  not  that  there  has  been  bigotry,  for  that  is  a 
word  -w  hich  ought  to  be  sjiaringly  used  ;  but  I 
cannot  avoid  the  conviction  that  there  has  often 
been  in  ourselves,  as  well  as  in  other  sects,  a  spirit 
of  exclusiveness  quite  uncalled  for  by  the  require- 
ments of  the  gospel,  and  exceedingly  pernicious  in 
its  effects  upon  both  our  Christian  character  and 
our  Christian  usefulness.  It  may  be  said  that 
we  are  often  provoked  to  it  by  the  treatment  we 
receive  from  others.    Be  it  so,  as  matter  of  fact ; 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


175 


and  thus  we  learn  the  tendency  of  exchisiveness 
to  alienate  and  drive  farther  asunder  the  different 
sections  of  God's  people ;  and  thus,  also,  we  see 
what  must  be  the  reaction  ujion  others  of  our  own 
exchisiveness.  Wiiy  should  we,  even  under  provo- 
cation, pursue  a  course  to  which  we  find  it  painfol 
to  be  provoked  ?  And  should  Ave  not  exhibit  more 
of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  set  a  better  example, 
by  patiently  enduring  the  provocation,  and  steadily 
persisting  in  a  kind,  conciliatory  course  of  conduct  ? 
Should  we  not  more  effectually  subdue  the  wrong 
spirit  in  others,  and  win  them  over  the  more  cer- 
tainly to  the  path  of  fraternal  concord,  by  forgiv- 
ing than  by  resenting  the  injury  ?  It  seems  to  me 
that  one  of  the  jirimary  lessons  taught  us  in  the 
New  Testament,  is  the  art  of  overcoming  evil  with 
good.  There  is  a  philosophy  in  the  power  of  for- 
giveness and  kindness  worthy  of  our  profoundest 
study.  Who  has  ever  availed  himself  of  that  power 
to  its  full  extent  ?  God  accomplishes  wonders  by 
it,  we  ourselves  being  witnesses.  Every  reader  of 
the  Sacred  volume  must  be  aware  of  the  special 
pains  taken  by  Christ  and  his  Apostles  to  show, 
both  by  precc'itt  and  example,  how  much  more  can 
be  effectuated  by  endurance  than  by  resistance,  by 
the  "  soft  tongue  "  that  "  breaketh  the  bone  "  than 
by  harsh  retorts  that  madden  the  spirit.  "Wiien 
shall  we  see  the  lessons  upon  meekness  and  gentle- 


176  CHRISTIAN  BROTDEEnOOD. 


ness  which  they  have  taught  us  fully  exemplified  ? 
When  shall  we  see  a  fair  experiment  of  the  efficacy 
of  Christian  patience  and  forbearance  to  dissolve 
the  frost  of  sectarian  prejudice,  and  promote  the 
restoration  of  Christian  fellowship? 

But,  says  one,  —  and  he  possibly  speaks  for 
many,  —  "I  cannot  conscientiously  associate  in 
any  religious  relation  with  such  a  sect,  lest  I 
should  countenance  certain  things  iu  their  system 
which  I  firmly  believe  to  be  wrong."  He  suggests 
an  underlying  principle  of  great  importance.  We 
certainly  must  not  countenance  wrong  by  act  any 
more  than  by  word.  But  the  question  now  per- 
tains to  his  ajjplication  of  the  principle.  It  requires 
a  nice  discrimination  to  draw  the  line  beyond  which 
he  may  not  proceed  without  coimteuanciug  what 
he  ought  to  reprehend.  And  he  may  be  rendered 
thoughtful  by  an  inquiry  with  respect  to  his  consis- 
tency. Is  there  nothing  wrong  in  his  own  denomi- 
nation, or  in  the  Church  where  he  holds  his  mem- 
bership, which,  if  free  association  involves  the 
offence,  he  is  constantly  countenancing  ?  Where, 
in.  such  a  case,  is  his  conscience  ?  Does  he  not  sus- 
tain religious  relations  to  many,  and  openly  co- 
operate with  them  in  religious  organizations,  whom 
he  knows  to  be  derelict  in  Christian  morals  ?  Alas 
for  the  deceptions  which  we  practise  upon  our- 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


177 


selves !  How  easy,  where  love  is  wanting,  to  find 
occasion  for  the  stringent  application  of  conscien- 
tious scruples !  As  in  the  Church  we  too  often 
place  opinions  above  piety,  so  in  society  avc  jjlace 
them  above  morals;  and  whUe  we  sin-ink  from 
social  intercourse  with  persons  who  hold  some 
errors,  though  of  the  most  correct  conduct,  we 
do  not  hesitate  to  act  in  fraternal  concert  with 
professors  of  our  own  creed  of  very  doubtful  char- 
acter. We  do  well  not  to  countenance  anything 
objectionable;  but  were  we  far  more  tolerant  of 
opinions,  and  less  tolerant  of  immoralities,  we 
should  exhibit  much  more  of  the  spirit  of  the 
gospel. 

The  grave  question,  and  one  that  involves  great 
interests,  is  this :  May  we  not  go  much  fiirther 
than  we  do,  in  association  with  all  the  friends  of 
Christ,  without  violating  any  law  of  the  Master, 
without  damage  to  any  principle  or  practice  that 
is  properly  dear  to  us,  and  without  any  harm  to 
our  personal  godliness  ?  If  others  show  a  disin- 
clination to  any  such  increase  of  familiarity  and 
cooperation,  and  repel  our  generous  approaches, 
then  the  responsibility  of  separation  is  theirs,  and 
we  shall  have  the  delightful  reflection  tiiat  we  have 
made  a  sincere  movement,  from  which  we  antici- 
pated healing  results;  and  that  by  so  doing  we  have 


178 


CHRISTIAN  BKOTHEEHOOD. 


endeavored  to  comply  with  the  apostolic  dii'ection 
to  "  foUow  after  the  things  'n  hich  make  for  peace." 
But,  allowing  that  our  advances  are  repulsed,  may 
we  not  hope  that  their  repetition,  in  a  Christian 
manner,  and  with  much  prayer  for  the  Divine 
blessing,  will  be  ultimately  successful?  Is  not 
the  issue  sought  of  sufficient  importance  to  justify 
persevering  and  long-continued  effort? 

There  is  certainly  some  common  ground  upon 
which  all  the  regenerated  can  meet,  and  show  to 
one  another  and  to  the  world  that  there  are  some 
ligaments  that  remain  unbroken.  Let  us  ascer- 
tain that  common  gi-ound,  and  be  ever  ready 
to  occujjy  it  on  equal  terms  with  all  who  love 
the  Saviour.  The  exhortation  of  the  Apostle  to 
the  Church  at  Philippi  is  exactly  appropriate : 
"Whei-eto  we  have  ali'eady  attained,  let  us  walk 
by  the  same  rule,  let  us  mind  the  same  thing."' 
Here,  it  is  assumed  as  a  principle  that  agTccmcnt 
is  the  basis  of  union  ;  it  is  taken  for  granted  that 
on  some  jjoints  all  Christians  must  agree;  it  is  pro- 
posed that,  as  far  as  they  do  agree,  they  should 
cordially  unite  and  cooj)erate ;  aad  it  is  more  than 
intimated  that  by  such  a  course  they  would  most 

1  See  nn  excellent  Discourse  from  these  words,  entitled  "The 
rrinciplu  of  Christiuii  Uiiiou,"  by  Kcv.  WilUaiu  Ilaguo,  D.  D. 
Bostou:  1811. 


CHKISTLAX  BROTHERHOOD. 


179 


effectually  promote  further  coincidence  of  opinion. 
"If  in  anything  ye  be  otherwise  minded,  God 
shall  reveal  even  this  unto  you."^  By  walking 
harmoniously  as  far  as  we  are  agi-eed,  we  may 
rationally  expect  such  additional  illumination  as 
will  enable  us  to  see  other  points  alike,  and  thus 
to  go  on  step  by  stcji  until  all  differences  shall 
disappear,  and  we  find  ourselves  "one  in  Christ 
Jesus."  The  same  Apostle  expressed  himself  as 
painfully  anxious  for  his  brethren  at  Colosse,  at 
Laodicea,  and  as  many  as  had  not  seen  his  face 
in  the  flesh,  "that  their  hearts  might  be  com- 
forted, being  knit  together  in  love,  and  unto  all 
riches  of  the  full  assurance  of  understanding,  to 
the  acknowledgment  of  the  mystery  of  God,  and 
of  the  Father  and  of  Christ;"  thus  plainly  inti- 
mating that  union  of  hearts  would  conduce  to 

1  "  Our  testimony  against  error  is  surely  far  more  exemplary 
and  striking  when  we  walk  with  our  fellow-Christians  as  far 
as  we  are  agreed,  and  leave  them  at  the  point  wliere  they 
diverge  from  the  right  path,  than  when  we  refuse  to  accom- 
pany them  at  all.  By  the  former  mode  of  conduct,  we  prove 
that,  if  we  depart  from  any  of  the  opinions  or  obsen-ances 
of  our  brethren,  it  is  only  at  the  irresistible  voice  of  dutj-  to 
Ood,  and  not  from  want  of  love  towards  them ;  while,  by  pur- 
suing the  ordinary  course  of  sectarianism,  we  rather  appear 
to  disapprove  of  characters  than  of  sentiments,  and  to  con- 
temn our  fellow-Christians  more  than  their  errors."  —  Mrs. 
Borneo  Elton. 


« 


180 


CniUSTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


the  extension  of  their  acquaintance  with  divine 
things,  and,  consequently,  to  a  multiplication  of 
tlie  points  of  ngreemcnt.  By  the  cultivation  of 
kind  feelings,  and  the  exhibition  of  a  liberal  spirit, 
and  the  adoption  of  a  generous  course  of  action, 
we  might  hope,  with  aid  from  on  high,  to  bring 
Christians  more  frequently  and  more  closely  to- 
gether, that  so  they  might  familiarly  compare 
their  respective  systems  with  the  Word  of  God, 
and  elevate  the  Avhole  into  entire  conformity  to 
that  one  jierfcct  standard. 

It  deserves  serious  inquiry  if  gi'eat  good  might 
not  result  from  the  extension  of  our  reading  on 
a  more  liberal  scale.  An  English  writer,  of  much 
celebrity,  says :  "  It  would  be  a  considerable  lielp 
to  the  eulargcdncss  of  view  and  feeling,  which 
this  junction  of  the  various  religious  bodies  in 
our  own  country  and  in  other  parts  calls  for,  were 
Christians  to  accustom  themselves  to  read  the 
works  of  writers  of  other  religious  denominations, 
as  well  as  of  their  oM'n ;  both  those  which  detail 
their  operations  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel,  and 
which  announce  their  particular  views  of  Chris- 
tianity in  their  own  language.  They  would  thus 
learn  to  give  men  credit  for  integrity  and  dili- 
gence in  espousing  opinions  di^Ferent  from  their 
own,  whom  they  had  previously  imagined  to  bo 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


181 


the  slaves  of  prejudice,  or  victims  of  indolence. 
They  would  see  that  there  were  reasons  for  those 
opinions,  which  might  easily  determine  the  adop- 
tion of  them  by  a  certain  class  of  minds,  with- 
out any  impeachment  of  their  sincerity  or  piety. 
They  would  be  gratified,  too,  by  perceiving  how 
much  of  truth  and  godliness  had  been  established 
in  tlic  earth  by  the  exertions  of  others  not  in 
conjunction  with  themselves,  and  haU  as  fellow- 
laborers  those  who,  though  they  wrought  in  a 
different  field,  and  after  a  different  manner,  were 
sowing  the  same  seed  of  truth  and  righteousness, 
and  reaping  the  same  results  as  themselves,  under 
the  evident  token  of  the  Divine  approbation  and 
blessing."  Our  obligation  to  patronize  a  denom- 
inational literature  cannot  be  paramount  to  our 
obligation  to  subserve  the  higher  and  broader 
interests  of  the  Christian  cause.  Were  it  suita- 
ble, I  might  name  religious  newspapers  published 
by  other  denominations  in  wliicli  our  brethren 
would  find  immensely  more  than  they  may  have 
expected  to  ajjprove  aiid  admire.  "We  might 
occasionally  meet  with  an  offensive  paragraph ; 
but,  leaving  it  as  an  oflset  to  some  things  equally 
()])jcctionable  on  our  own  side,  we  should  learn, 
and  rejoice  to  leani,  that  other  Christians  are 
laboring  for  the  promotion  of  truth  and  rigiit- 
eousness  in  the  world,  that  they  have  at  lieart  ti;e 
16 


182 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


good  of  souls  and  the  glory  of  Christ,  and  that 
they  have  in  large  measure  the  Divine  favor. 
Those  publications  advocate  in  the  main  the  same 
great  principles  as  our  own;  they  exhibit  essen- 
tially the  same  spirit ;  in  ninety-nine  parts  of  a 
hundred  they  contain  nothing  exceptionable,  noth- 
ing that  even  sectarian  optics  can  detect  as  con- 
trary to  the  views  which  we  entertain.  It  may 
be  said  that  the  courtesy  which  I  recommend 
would  not  be  reciprocated,  and  our  effort  would 
be  practically  useless.  So  we  judge,  a  priori, 
and  not,  I  am  sure,  as  the  result  of  experiment. 
Let  the  attempt  be  made  in  the  true  spirit  of 
conciliation,  and,  if  it  fiil,  the  world  will  see 
tliat  we  have  done,  in  this  direction,  the  friendly 
thing.  This  want  of  confidence  in  the  utility 
of  kind,  pacific  endeavors,  and  esi^ecially  in  the 
jiromise  of  Ilim  who  has  appointed  them  as  the 
means  of  overcoming  evil,  is  the  bane  that  par- 
alyzes all  effort  for  the  restoration  of  harmony. 
And  here  is  a  point  whore  Satan,  the  arch-divider 
of  the  Church,  applies  his  perverse  ingenuity.  "It 
will  do  no  good,"  he  says,  and  we  believe  him. 
"Patronize  exclusively  your  own  publications,"  he 
adds,  "  and  let  others  take  care  of  theirs ; "  and  we 
take  his  advice.  The  Saviour  looks  down,  and 
repeats  his  own  Avords,  "All  ye  are  brethren," 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


183 


Several  instances,  like  those  of  Douglas  of 
Cavers,  Jenkins  of  Assam,  TVylie  of  Calcutta, 
Frye  of  Baltimore,  Hill  of  Boston,  and  others, 
have  occurred,  where  members  of  other  commu- 
nions have  generously  contributed  to  the  aid  of 
our  Foreign  IVIissions,  and  Ave  have  hailed  them  as 
indications  of  a  truly  liberal  spirit.  We  love  such 
donors,  not  for  the  sake  of  their  gratuities,  but 
because  we  perceive  in  them  elements  of  character 
that  raise  them  superior  to  all  party  distinctions, 
and  bring  them  into  felloAvsliip  with  all  who  love 
and  serve  tlie  Son  of  God.  Were  we  to  know 
that  prominent  individuals  among  us  are  annually 
or  occasionally  contributing  to  aid  the  benevolent 
activities  of  other  denominations,  should  wc  con- 
sider them  as  manifesting  the  same  lovely  siMrit, 
and  entitled,  for  the  same  reasons,  to  a  similar  com- 
mendation ?  Wc  should  not,  I  suppose,  deny  their 
right  to  make  such  contributions ;  but  Avould  not 
many  question  the  propriety  of  their  conduct? 
It  would  be  said  of  them,  that  they  were  diverting 
so  much  from  the  treasuries  of  their  own  societies, 
and  that  they  were  countenancing  error  and  as- 
sisting in  its  propagation.  But  a  careful  analysis 
of  all  the  feelings  and  principles  involved  in  this 
double  objection  might  reveal  the  presence  of  sec- 
tarian selfishness.  When  otlicrs  make  donations 
to  our  funds,  tlioy  do  it,  not  because  they  subscribe 


184 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


to  all  our  views,  but  because  they  regard  us  as 
Christians  engaged  iu  a  good  Avork.  "What  should 
hinder  us  from  reciprocating  the  favor,  and  on  the 
same  broad  basis  ?  In  j^atronizing  the  missionary 
efforts  of  any  of  the  evangelical  denominations, 
how  much  of  error  or  of  wrong  should  we  coun- 
tenance ?  Should  we  not,  on  the  contrary,  en- 
courage a  great  amount  of  good  ?  And,  taking 
into  the  account  every  consideration,  may  we  not 
believe  that  "  with  such  sacrifices  God  "  would  be 
"  well  pleased  ?  "  If  it  be  not  inconsistent  with 
our  allegiance  to  Christ,  then  svn*ely  it  is  a  service 
from  w  hich  we  need  not  be  repelled  by  any  appre- 
hension suggested  by  sectarian  casuistry.  Were 
these  acts  of  kindness  and  confidence  more  fre- 
quently interchanged  by  difierent  denominations, 
the  efiect  would  bo  salutary  upon  themselves,  and 
the  impression  upon  the  world  would  be  more  of 
that  kind  which  we  all  regard  as  desirable.  It  is 
not  the  money  benefit,  but  the  moral  advantage, 
for  which  I  plead,  —  tlie  multiplying  and  the 
strengthening  of  the  connectives  which  unite  the 
people  of  God.  Take  an  illustrative  fact.  A  lady 
in  England,  soliciting  contributions  for  a  Mission- 
ary Society  in  the  town  where  she  resided,  called 
upon  a  pious  tradesman  who  was  not,  like  lierself, 
of  the  Established  Church.  On  entering,  she  said, 
"  I  wait  on  you,  sir,  from  the  Church  Missionary 


CIiniSTIAX  BROTHERHOOD.  185 

Society,  because  I  have  undertaken  to  call  at  every 
house  in  my  division ;  but,  as  I  believe  you  are  not 
a  Churchman,  I  cannot  presume  to  calculate  upon 
your  subscription ;  and,  though  we  are  hapjjy  to 
receive  support  from  any  one,  I  ought  not,  perhaps, 
to  expect  it  from  you ;  and,  therefore,  having  ful- 
filled ray  engagement  by  calling,  I  wiU  now  cheer- 
fully take  my  leave."  —  "  Stop,  madam,"  said  he  ; 
"  I  cannot  suffer  you  to  go  away  thus.  It  is  true 
we  have  a  Missionary  Society  of  our  own  ;  but, 
when  I  consider  how  long  I  have  lived  in  this 
l)lace,  and  how  little,  comparatively,  has  been  done 
here  in  a  religious  point  of  view  until  the  forma- 
tion of  your  society,  I  am  truly  thankful  to  God 
for  his  goodness,  and  you  shall  take  the  names 
of  my  wife  and  daughter,  as  humble  but  cheerful 
contributors."  AVhile  he  said  this,  "the  springs 
which  were  in  his  head "  —  to  nse  the  quaint 
phraseology  of  John  Bunyan  —  "  did  send  the 
waters  do^vn  his  cheeks."  The  lady,  after  receiv- 
ing the  subscription  of  the  Wesleyan,  said,  "Now, 
sir,  as  you  have  been  so  kind  and  liberal  towards 
our  Society,  you  must  allow  me  to  give  you  a 
t(!Stimony  of  my  good-Avill  towards  yours."  Ac- 
cordingly, she  insisted  upon  his  accepting  from 
her  own  purse  a  donation  for  the  Wesleyan  Mis- 
sionary Society.  "Truly,"  .says  Dr.  Hague,  after 
mentioning  these  facts,  "  when  a  charity  so  candid 
IG* 


186 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


and  reciprocal  as  this  shall  pervade  the  Church, 
divisions  will  be  comparatively  nominal  and  harm- 
less; for,  as  the  body  M'ithout  the  spirit  is  dead, 
so  sectarianism  bereft  of  its  selfish  spirit  is  dead 
also."  ^  To  all  this,  from  the  pen  and  the  heart  of 
an  esteemed  brother,  I  cordially  subscribe,  with 
the  wish  that  he  may  live  to  see  sectarianism  die 
of  quick  consumption,  and  to  officiate  at  its  inter- 
ment. He  will  pronounce  no  eulogy  upon  the 
depai'ted,  and  have  none  to  comfort  with  the  hope 
of  a  resurrection.  Tlie  Devil  and  his  angels  will 
be  the  only  mourners,  and  in  mid-heaven  wiU  be 
heard  the  anthem,  long  since  hushed,  "  Glory  to 

God  IX  THE  HIGHEST  ;  ASD  ON  EARTH  PEACE,  GOOD- 
WILL TOWARDS  MEN." 

Among  the  means  that  would  contribute  to  the 
desired  result,  I  must  include  especially  prayer,  — 
enlightened,  earnest,  universal  prayer.  TJirough 
Christ  we  all  have  "access  by  one  Spirit  mito  the 
Father."  We  all  believe  in  prayer  as  an  instru- 
ment of  wondro-us  power,  not  only  in  its  reflex 
influence  upon  tlie  character  of  the  petitioner, 
but  al^o  in  its  mysterious  effectiveness  in  securing 
blessings  that  God  has  to  bestow.  According  to 
the  Word  of  God,  much  is  made  dependent  upon 


1  "  Trinciplc  of  Cliristian  Union." 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEKHOOD. 


187 


prayer,  much  is  promised  to  prayer,  much  has 
been  accomplished  by  prayer.  United  prayer 
is  encouraged ;  and  the  assurance  of  success  is 
given  to  the  smallest  number  Avho  shall  agree  in 
the  service.  In  the  very  atmosi^here  of  a  prayer- 
room  there  is  something  that  rebukes  all  selfish- 
ness, and  pride,  and  strife,  and  intolerance,  and 
every  evil  of  imperfect  humanity,  and  that  stimu- 
lates and  nurtures  "whatsoever  things  are  lovely 
and  of  good  report."  Christians  who  pray  much 
together  have  their  views  liarmonized  and  their 
feelings  assimilated,  and  they  become  attached  to 
one  another  by  bonds  that  are  not  easily  broken. 
Were  different  denominations  to  come  together 

"  Around  one  common  Mercy-Seat," 

and  pour  out  in  union  tlieir  supplications  to  their 
common  Father,  tln-ougli  their  common  Mediatoi", 
we  might  rationally  expect  that  many  of  the  ob- 
stacles to  a  foirer  understanding  and  to  closer  fel- 
lowship would  bo  removed.  Who,  then,  more 
appropriately  than  ourselves,  can  make  advances,  in 
the  spirit  of  Christian  love,  towards  a  measure  from 
which  the  happiest  results  may  be  anticipated  ?  ^ 

1  The  year  1858  will  lonp  be  remembered  as  a  period  of  "  Union 
Prayer  Jfectinss,"  and  history  wjll  rccor'l  results  of  a  marked 
clinrarter.  God  has  signally  manifested  his  approbation  of  such 
fraternity. 


188  CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


I  never  heard  an  objection  to  union  for  sucii  a  jnir- 
pose  that  did  not  contain  internal  evidence  of  its 
origin  in  a  narrow,  jealous,  unlovely  sectarian  spirit. 
But  whatever  may  be  the  barriers  in  the  M^ay  of  a 
general  union  for  prayer,  it  certainly  is  possible 
for  us  as  individuals  to  cultivate  the  habit  of  sup- 
plication for  all  Christians.  The  godly  in  all  sects 
can  pray,  they  do  pray,  for  one  another,  saying 
from  the  heart,  "  Grace  be  with  all  them  that  love 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  snicerity."  Bishop  Bur- 
gess, speaking  of  the  desirableness  of  a  fuller  pub- 
lic recognition  of  one  another  as  Christians,  says : 
"  I  ask  no  other  acknowledgment  than  that  which 
is  made  by  each  in  his  secret  cliamber,  in  his  pri- 
vate conversation,  in  his  prayers  for  all  who  profess 
and  call  themselves  Christians ;  and  in  liis  hopes  of 
union  hereafter  with  just  men  made  perfect."  Set- 
ting out  of  the  account  the  blessings  which  may 
descend  upon  others  in  answer  to  such  prayers,  we 
may  be  sure  that  to  those  who  offer  them  will 
accrue  no  small  advantage.  When  Job  offered 
prayer  for  those  with  whom  he  had  been  disputing, 
and  by  whose  reproaches  he  had  been  deej^ly 
wounded,  his  captivity  was  turned,  and  tlie  smile 
of  heaven  rested  again  on  his  tabernacle.  IMauy  a 
Christian  lias  found  deliverance  from  tlie  bonds 
of  spiritual  gloom,  and  liad  his  feet  set  in  a  large 
place,  the  moment  he  has  sacrificed  the  selfishness 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


189 


of  his  prayers,  and  sincerely  prayed  for  all  Chris- 
tians as  the  objects  of  bis  fervent  affection,  "  Pray 
for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem ;  they  shall  prosper 
that  love  thee."  How  much  of  this  kind  of  prayer 
there  may  be  in  secret  is  kno^vTl  only  to  Him  who 
seeth  in  secret ;  but  we  know  full  well  that  our 
ptiblic  devotions  arc  not  overburdened  with  it. 
Occasionally  from  the  pulpit  is  heard  a  petition 
"for  Christians  of  every  name;"  but  seldom  is 
there  anything  to  indicate  earnestness  in  the  re- 
quest. It  is  one  of  a  stereotyped  series,  beginning 
with  "  all  that  are  in  authority,"  and  ending  w  ith 
"  thine  ancient  peoi)le  the  Jews."  You,  my  brother, 
have  heard  language  in  prayer,  that  showed  a  pru- 
dent regard  to  some  system  of  divinity,  by  the 
introduction  of  a  conditional  clause :  "  Do  thou 
bless  all  denominations  so  far  as  they  have  the 
truth.'''*  How  considerate  to  define  the  Hmits 
within  which  God  may  consistently  bestow  his 
favor !  Is  lie  in  danger  of  countenancing  error 
by  blessing  those  who  hold  it  ? 

Were  I  addressing  one  of  a  different  spirit  from 
yourself,  I  would  say,  Lot  us  pray  more  for  all 
who  arc  "  the  cliildren  of  God  by  fliith  in  Christ 
Jesus."  In  all  our  private  devotions,  let  us  take 
their  case  as  well  as  our  own  to  the  footstool  of 
mercy,  and  let  us  there  espouse  it  as  our  own, 
and  feel  that  in  the  success  of  our  suit  important 


190 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


results  are  involved.  Let  us  pray  for  others  be- 
fore we  pray  for  ourselves,  aud  let  our  plea  for 
them  be  as  long,  as  particular,  as  urgent,  as  the 
plea  for  ourselves.  "When  we  surround  the  do- 
mestic altar,  let  us  remember  all  Christians,  and 
devoutly  entreat  the  same  gracious  benedictions 
upon  the  entire  "household  of  faith."  In  the 
place  of  social  prayer,  that  "scene  where  spirits 
blend,"  let  us  not  fail  to  implore  "the  God  of  all 
grace"  to  bestow  upon  all  his  children  "the  ful- 
ness of  the  blessing  of  the  gos2:>el  of  Christ."  In 
the  public  sanctuary,  let  not  the  occupant  of  the 
2)ulpit,  as  he  leads  the  devotions  of  his  people, 
contract  his  or  their  desires  for  the  Divine  favor 
to  the  narrowness  of  a  sect ;  but  let  him  enlarge 
the  solicitudes  of  his  heart,  and  open  his  moutli 
wide,  and  make  "  supplication  for  all  saints,"  and 
plead  for  the  holiness,  the  usefuluess,  the  happi- 
ness of  all  who  love  the  Lord.  The  effect  of  such 
a  service  upon  ourselves  will  assuredly  be  con- 
servative and  healing.  And  were  we  to  know 
that  others  are  in  like  manner  jiraying  for  us, 
should  we  not  feel  our  hearts  drawn  out  towards 
them?  And  when  we  might  meet  them,  should 
we  not  extend  to  them  a  warmer  Iiand,  and  cast 
upon  them  a  more  confiding  look  of  brotherly 
love?    And  would  not  they  and  we  be  in  iho 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


191 


best  of  all  moods  for  a  candid  examination  of  the 
grounds  of  our  difference?^ 

7.  WE  MAY  ENCOURAGE  A  PACIFIC  MINISTRY. 

"  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers,  for  they  shall  be 
called  the  sons  of  God."  This  is  one  of  the  first 
lessons  which  the  Great  Teacher  gave  to  his  theo- 
logical pupils,  the  future  ministers  of  his  Church. 
This  lesson  they  thoroughly  learned  from  his 
varied  teachings  and  illustrative  examples;  with 
its  spirit  they  were  deeply  impregnated;  under 
its  influence  they  proceeded  to  eveiy  department 
of  their  labor,  seeking  everywhere  to  promote 
peace  both  between  man  and  his  God,  and  be- 
tween man  and  his  fellow-man.  Theirs  was  jjccu- 
liarly  "the  ministry  of  reconciliation,"  and  with 
commendable  fidelity  they  executed  their  trust. 
We  have  but  to  road  the  narrative  of  their  labors, 
as  recorded  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  and  the 

1  At  a  late  meeting  of  rolportonrs,  an  Episcopal  elcrfryman, — 
Rev.  Dr.  .Jolins,  of  Baltimore,  —  spcaldng  of  "an  excessive  de- 
nominationali.>im,"  said:  "  AVhcrcver  this  goes  beyond  love  for 
souls,  something  is  wrong.  So  fearful  am  I  of  this  spirit,  that 
I  have  been  accustomed  for  years,  in  passing  a  house  of  wor- 
ship of  some  other  denomination  than  my  own,  to  lift  my 
heart  to  God  in  prayer  for  tliat  minister  and  his  people."  How 
Christlikc  that  spirit !   Would  that  thero  were  more  of  it ! 


192 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEEEOOD. 


letters  which  they  addressed  to  commimities  and 
to  individuals,  in  order  to  discover  how  pacific 
was  their  spirit,  how  anxioixs  they  were  for  the 
prevalence  of  love  and  concord,  and  how  keenly 
they  felt  v,-hen  there  appeared  the  least  indication 
of  schism  or  disunion.  It  would  be  a  profitable 
service  for  any  minister  of  Christ  to  analyze  the 
Ej^istles  with  special  reference  to  this  one  point, 
—  the  peace-loA'ing  disposition  of  the  primitive 
niinistrj^  He  would  be  surprised  to  find  how 
frequently,  how  strongly,  and  in  what  a  variety 
of  forms,  "the  elders"  and  "all  the  holy  breth- 
ren" are  exhorted,  entreated,  commanded  to  culti- 
vate mutual  affection,  and  to  guard  against  every- 
thing that  might  tend  to  grieve  and  alienate  and 
divide.  In  the  letters  to  Timothy  and  Titus,  es- 
jjecially,  he  would  find  counsels  pertaining  to  this 
department  well  worthy  to  be  considered  by  him- 
self £(nd  by  all  who,  as  the  messengei"s  of  "  the 
Prince  of  Peace,"  are  api)ointed  to  preach  and 
to  exemplify  "  the  Gospel  of  Peace ; "  —  counsels 
which  clearly  indicate  that  it  was  an  original  de- 
sign of  the  ministry  to  preserve  in  the  Church 
good-will  and  undisturbed  hai'inony,  as  well  as 
sound  doctrine  and  fiiitliful  discipline.  And  how 
plain,  how  severe,  are  the  remarks  of  the  Apostles 
with  resjiect  to  those  self-willed  and  contentious 
teachers  who  pervert  their  facilities  for  promoting 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


193 


peace  to  opportunities  for  kindling  strife  and  in- 
flaming hatred  !    "  From  such  turn  away." 

The  Church  has  largely  experienced  both  good 
'and  ill  from  the  men  whom  she  has  received  as 
her  spiritual  advisers  and  guides.  The  confidence 
reposed  in  them  as  the  accredited  representatives 
of  Christ,  the  sacredness  of  their  office,  the  knowl- 
edge of  Divine  things  which  they  are  supposed 
to  possess,  and  the  freedom  of  intercourse  with 
the  peoi)le  to  which  they  are  generally  welcomed, 
all  contribute  to  their  influence  in  determining 
the  principles,  and  moulding  the  characters,  and 
tempering  the  spirit,  and  directing  the  conduct, 
of  the  great  mass  of  j^rofessed  disciples.  It  will 
not  be  denied  that  they  have  often  employed  this 
influence  in  fomenting  "  discord  among  brethren," 
in  aggravating  the  ferocity  of  party  spirit,  in  rear- 
ing higher  and  stronger  the  separating  barriers, 
in  rendering  the  separated  more  belligerent  and 
more  implacable.  AVith  them  commenced  the  first 
schisms  that  disfigured  and  crij)i)led  the  Church. 
By  tliem  mainly  have  schisms  been  multii)lied,  and 
widened,  and  deepened,  and  perpetuated.  They 
have  been  tlie  guardian  sentinels,  posted  along 
the  lines  of  party  entrenchments,  to  superintend 
their  integrity,  and,  whenever  invasion  is  threat- 
ened, to  give  the  trumpet  a  certain  sound.  Jerome, 
une  of  the  Christian  Fath.ers,  has  these  words: 
17 


194 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


"  Searching  the  ancient  histories,  I  can  find  none 
who  have  more  rent  the  Church  of  God  than 
those  who  sustained  the  office  of  ministers."  Mar- 
tin Luther  is  said  often  to  have  prayed :  "  From 
vain-glorious  doctors,  contentious  pastors,  and  un- 
profitable questions,  good  Lord,  deliver  us." 

The  religious  controversies  which  have  inflicted 
so  many  wounds  upon  Christianity  and  upon 
Christian  consciences,  have  generally  been  com- 
menced and  continued  by  factious  ministers.  •  No 
othei-s  could  or  would  have  originated  or  main- 
tained them.  Common  Christians  had  no  interest 
in  them,  and  felt  a  repugnance  to  them,  except 
so  far  as  they  became  partisans  and  sympathized 
with  their  guides.  Let  the  people  of  the  United 
States  interpret  for  themseh'cs  our  Constitution, 
one  of  the  plainest  documents  in  the  English  lan- 
guage, and  they  woidd  understand  it  alike.  Their 
leaders  misdirect  them,  and  draw  them  otF  into 
l)artics  rallied  around  some  imintelligible,  ab- 
stract construction,  and  teach  them  to  regard  one 
another  as  the  enemies  of  their  country  and  the 
generators  of  all  political  mischief.  So,  if  the 
Bible,  no  part  of  which  is  "  of  any  private  inter-' 
pretation,"  had  been  put  into  the  hands  of  all 
Christians,  and  kept  there,  and  they  had  been 
properly  instructed  to  read  and  interpret  it  for 
themselves,  the  Church,  we  may  believe,  Avould 


CHRISTIAN  liUOTHERHOOD. 


195 


never  have  been  disturbed  and  harassed  with 
those  subtle  distinctions  and  endless  logomachies 
which  have  so  grievously  torn  her  oAvn  vitals, 
and  often  made  her  despicable  in  the  eyes  of 
unbelievers.  Ecclesiastical  History  tells  a  most 
humiliating  tale  of  centuries,  with  respect  to  the 
spirit  and  behaviour  of  a  large  portion  of  the 
Chi-istian  i^riesthood,  their  ambition,  their  conten- 
tiousness, their  acrimony  of  sjiirit,  their  disregard 
of  all  courtesy,  their  inflammability  of  temper, 
their  violence  of  denunciation,  their  bitterness  of 
invective,  their  ingenuity  in  belligerent  tactics, 
their  rage  for  jiarty  victory ;  and  to  such  men 
—  demons  they  would  in  any  other  relation  be 
called  —  may  chiefly  be  traced  the  divisions  and 
the  hostile  feelings  and  attitudes  of  the  various 
sects  which  have  successively  appeared,  and,  like 
the  renowned  controvertists  of  Kilkenny,  disap- 
peared. 

The  minister  of  the  gospel,  especially  the  pas- 
tor of  a  Church,  occupies  a  post  of  influence,  and 
it  is  in  his  power  to  do  much  either  for  peace  or 
for  war,  according  to  the  end  which  lie  proposes 
to  accom2)lish,  the  means  he  employs,  and  the 
spirit  by  which  he  is  moved.  He  can  promote 
good-will  and  harmony,  or  he  can  excite  disaffec- 
tion, and  drive  the  divided  farther  asunder.  He 
can  be  a  fountain  of  bland  influences  that  shall 


I'JG 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


soothe  and  lieal,  or  he  can  be  a  volcano  pouring 
forth  sulphureous  elements  that  scorch  and  blacken 
and  devastate. 

Can  we  for  a  moment  hesitate  resi^ccting  the 
character  and  the  si)irit  which  we  ought  to  en- 
courage in  the  ministry  of  the  Church  ?  Have 
we  any  pleasure  in  the  labors  of  a  man  who  makes 
the  pulpit  the  vehicle  of  inflammatory  appeals, 
and  who  never  seems  to  be  better  pleased  than 
when  he  sees  that  he  has  propagated  his  own 
spirit,  and  kindled  in  other  bosoms  the  flame  that 
has  charred  his  own?  Is  he  the  j^astor  for  us  who 
is  fond  of  irritating  other  denominations  by  pun- 
gent Avitticisms,  and  sarcastic  ridicule,  and  tlien 
applying  tlie  fiery  caustic  to  the  excoriated  sur- 
face to  sec  how  the  victims  will  writhe  and  scowl? 
Is  he  our  preferred  spiritual  guide  who,  instead 
of  leading  us  into  green  pastures  and  beside  the 
still  waters,  conducts  us  into  the  sectarian  battle- 
field where  hearts  bleed  and  love  weeps  ? 

If  there  be  a  spot  on  earth  Avhere  the  spirit  of 
peace  and  love  sliould  have  its  cherished  liome, 
it  is  the  ])ulpit.  If  there  be  a  man  on  earth  who 
ought  to  be  baptized  in  that  spirit,  it  is  the  min- 
ister of  Jesus.  It  is  good  to  come  near  to  such 
a  pulpit,  sacred  to  Love,  and  to  find  it  occupied 
by  such  a  minister,  "full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and 
of  faith."    It  is  good  to  pass  our  Sabbath  hours 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


197 


in  a  sanctuary  where  tLere  is  a  Calvary,  and  on 
that  Calvary  a  Cross  around  which  we  may  gather 
in  humility,  repentance,  confession,  faith  and  hope, 
and  b}^  the  power  of  which  we  may  feel  ourselves 
drawn  together  somewhat  in  likeness  of  heavenly 
companionship.  And  it  is  good  to  be  led  to  that 
Cross  by  a  pastor  who  dwells  near  it  himself,  and 
breatlies  the  atmosi^here  that  surrounds  it,  and 
walks  in  the  light  that  it  pours  upon  the  hum- 
ble, and  speaks  the  sentiments  that  it  inspires, 
and  prays  like  Ilira  who  bled  upon  it  and  gave 
it  all  its  glory.  lie  preaches  the  truth  as  he 
derives  it  for  himself  directly  from  the  Word 
of  God;  but  he  does  it  without  bigotry  or  dog- 
matism. "  Set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel,"  he 
"contends  earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered 
to  the  saints;"  but  he  does  it  not  foctiously  or 
provokingly.  He  warns  all  wrong-doers  of  "  the 
wrath  to  come ; "  but  he  mingles  with  the  holy 
wi-ath  of  God  no  Avrath  of  his  own.  If  he  uses 
hard  argimicnts,  his  words  arc  soft.  He  is  "pa- 
tient towards  all  men,"  "gentle  unto  all  men," 
"  in  meekness  instructing  those  that  oppose  them- 
selves." As  "the  servant  of  God,"  he  docs  not 
"  strive,"  and  he  stirs  no  strife  among  others, 
lie  is  never  satirical,  except  against  immorality. 
Against  persons  he  utters  no  rcproacliful  epithets, 
lie  infliclH  no  unnecessary  Avounds.  For  tlie  sake 
17* 


198 


CIIUISTIAN  BROTHEIIHOOD. 


of  peace,  be  yields  everything  except  truth  and 
conscience.  He  is  more  concerned  for  the  prog- 
ress of  tlie  general  cause  than  for  sectarian  vic- 
tory; for  the  salvation  of  souls  than  for  the  in- 
crease of  liis  denomination.  He  dwells  more  upon 
the  spiritual  than  the  ritual  of  religion ;  more 
upon  the  fundamental  than  the  circumstantial. 
He  j)uts  truths  and  duties  in  apostolic  order  and 
apostolic  projiortion,  and  insists  upon  each,  in  the 
apostolic  spirit,  according  to  its  relative  impor- 
tance, lie  diffuses  everywhere,  and  by  every  ap- 
propriate means,  the  gejiial  and  sunny  influences 
of  that  heaven-born  Charity  which  "  sufFcreth  long 
and  is  kind,  envieth  not,  vaunteth  not  itself,  is 
not  i:)uffed  np,  bohaveth  not  unseemly,  seeketh 
not  her  own,  is  not  easily  ])rovoked,  thinketh 
no  evil,  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but  rejoiceth 
in  the  truth ;  beareth  all  things,  belie veth  all 
things,  hopoth  all  things,  endureth  all  things,'' 
and  "never  faileth."  He  jiossesses  and  exhibits, 
in  large  measure,  the  wisdom  that  is  "  first  pure, 
then  jieaceable,  gentle,  easy  to  be  entrcited,  full 
of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  Avithout  partiality  and 
without  hypocrisy."  In  him  are  blended  two  char- 
acteristics ;  he  is  wise  as  a  serpent,  harmless  as 
a  dove.  He  studies  to  promote  brotherly  love, 
regarding  it  as  a  proof  of  discipleshiji,  and  as 
adapted  to  convince  unbelievers  of  the  excel- 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


199 


lence  of  the  gospel.  Hence  he  exhorts  all  to  be 
"kindly  affectioned  one  to  another,"  "foi-bearing 
one  another  in  love."  lie  finds  the  Church 
"wounded  and  half  dead,"  and  he  poui-s  in  oil 
and  wine,  and  endeavors  to  soothe  her  feverish 
throbbings  Avith  the  healing  hand  of  kindness. 
He  labors  to  draw  off  the  minds  of  the  people 
from  undue  attention  to  inferior  matters  by  pre- 
senting great  truths  for  their  contemplation,  great 
commands  for  their  obedience;  and  thus,  like  a 
wise  physician,  he  skilfully  administers  the  proper 
moral  alteratives.  In  private  j^rayer  he  wrestles 
with  God  for  the  jyeace  and  unity  of  the  Church ; 
in  public  devotion  he  pleads  for  the  removal  of 
the  barriers  that  obstruct  the  free  and  holy  fel- 
lowship of  all  believers.  Like  the  High  Priest 
of  Israel,  he  never  enters  the  holy  place  for  the 
purpose  of  intercession,  without  the  names  of  all 
the  tribes  upon  his  breast-plate.  As  the  taber- 
nacle was  the  rallying  point  of  the  host  in  its 
marches  to  Canaan,  and  the  central  bond  of  union 
around  which  was  every  nightly  encampment,  so 
this  leader  of  a  Christian  flock  plants  the  Cross 
in  the  centre,  and  invites  all  to  encircle  it  in  close 
combination,  knowing  for  a  certainty  that  there 
the  spirit  of  discord  cannot  develop  itself,  —  there 
every  schismatical  feeling  must  wither  and  die. 
He  dwells  much  upon  the  oneness  of  God's  pco- 


200 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


pie,  having  one  Father,  one  Saviour,  one  hope, 
one  inheritance.  He  is  "a  lover  of  good  men,"  a 
lover  of  all  goodness.  For  controversy  he  has  no 
taste.    As  instinctively  as  the  dove-like  Spirit,  he 

"  Flies  from  tlic  realms  of  noise  and  strife." 

He  delights  to  work  upon  that  part  of  the  spir- 
itual temi^le  where  the  sound  of  axe  and  hammer 
is  not  heard.  His  great  object  is  the  conversion  of 
sinners  and  their  culture  in  holiness,  and  in  all 
he  has  supreme  reference  to  the  glory  of  Christ, 
preferring  rather  to  jewel  the  Redeemer's  crown 
than  his  own.  He  anticipates  with  strong  rapture 
the  period  Avheu  the  M'hole  Body  of  Christ  shall 
be  "  compacted  together  in  love,"  and  "  come  into 
the  unity  of  the  faith  ;  "  the  halcyon  days  of  proph- 
ecy, when  the  godly  seed  shall  rise  above  the  par- 
tition walls  by  which  they  are  divided,  and  flow 
together  to  certify,  in  the  embrace  of  Christian 
fellowship,  before  the  face  of  the  world,  the  ancient 
power  of  godliness.  He  longs  for  the  key-note 
to  be  struck,  to  which  ten  thousand  times  ten 
thousand  voices  shall  respond  in  sweetest  harmony, 
and  to  M^iich  angels  themselves  shall  lend  a  dc- 
lijrhted  ear,  findinty  in  it  the  echo  of  their  own 
on  that  day  when  they  sang  at  the  advent  of  the 
Redeemer.    He  is  not  widely  known  to  the  world  ; 


CHKISTIAN  BROTHEEHOOD. 


201 


he  aspires  not  to  the  distinctions  that  men  confer. 
His  immediate  influence  is  not  far-reaching,  but  it 
is  all  healthful,  and  ^\•ill  go  on  through  numerous 
channels,  diffusing  the  beauty  of  holiness  long  after 
he  shall  have  gone  to  his  rest  and  his  reward. 

How  benign  is  the  influence  of  such  a  pastor ! 
IIow  green  is  the  spot  which  he  cultivates  !  IIow 
refreshing  to  place  one's  moral  nature  under  such 
influences !  How  profitable  to  be  trained  by  such 
a  teacher  for  usefulness  and  heaven,  himself  leading 
the  "way!  How  great  the  pleasure  of  contributing 
to  the  support  of  sucli  a  minister,  knowing  that  we 
are  sustaining  an  agent  of  good,'  and  good  of  the 
liighest  order !  His  less  tolerant  brethren  may 
suspect  him  of  favoring  some  liercsy,  or  of  abating 
his  zeal  for  the  truth  ;  but  none  of  these  things 
move  him.  He  believes  that  holiness  and  peace 
are  inseparable  concomitants,  and  that  by  pro- 
moting cither  ho  facilitates  the  advancement  of 
the  other.  Like  Chillingworth,  he  says,  "If  the 
ruptures  of  the  ClnuTh  might  be  composed,  I 
do  heartily  wish  that  the  cement  niiglit  bo  made 
of  my  heart's  blood  ;"  or,  like  Baxter:  "I  can  as 
willingly  be  a  niartyr  for  Love  as  for  any  article  of 
my  creed." 

Were  all  the  ministers  even  of  one  denomination 
thus  to  feel  and  act,  would  .the  cause  of  truth  suffer 
in  their  liands?    Would  their  IVLaster  rebuke,  or 


202 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


commend  tbem  ?  How  long  would  it  be  before 
the  prejudices  of  others  would  melt  away  like 
snow  in  a  summer  atmosj^here,  and  the  thousands 
of  divided  Israel  reunite  under  the  peaceful  stand- 
ard of  the  Son  of  David  ?  Prophecy  has  sketched 
the  picture,  "  a  thing  of  beauty,"  on  the  future, 
and  blessed  are  they  to  whom  it  shall  be  "a  joy 
forever."  "  The  watchmen  shall  lift  up  the  voice ; 
with  the  voice  together  shall  tliey  sing ;  for  they 
shall  SEE  EYE  TO  EYE,  wheii  the  Lord  shall  bring 
again  Zion," 

"Were  love,  in  these  the  world's  last  doting  years. 
As  frequent  as  the  want  of  it  appears, 
The  churches  warmed,  tliey  would  no  longer  hold 
Such  frozen  figures,  stitf  as  they  are  cold; 
Relenting  forms  would  lose  their  power,  or  cease. 
And  e'en  the  dipped  and  sprinkled  live  in  peace; 
Each  heart  would  quit  its  prison  in  the  breast, 
And  flow  in  free  communion  with  the  rest."  ^ 

8.  WE  MAY  PATRONIZE  A  PEACE-MAKI^TG  PRESS. 

The  alienations  and  animosities  among  religious 
people  are  aggravated  in  no  smnll  degree  by  the 
newspapers,  magazines,  and  reviews,  wliich  they 
read  and  support.  These  publications  are  now, 
what  the  pulpit  once  was,  the  principal  arena  of 


1  William  Cowper. 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD.  203 

sectarian  debate.  There  the  pugnacious  hide 
themselves  behind  the  editorial  impersonality  or 
the  fictitious  signature,  and  carry  on  a  warfare 
Avhich  contributes  far  more  to  the  embittering  of 
disaffection  than  to  the  evolving  of  truth  or  the 
maintaininsc  of  right.  An  editor  inflames  the  minds 
of  his  readers,  and  the  readers  become  corre- 
spondents, at  once  encouraging  the  editor  and  ex- 
asperating the  inflammation  in  their  own  bosoms ; 
and  thus  the  process  goes  on,  reciprocally  mul- 
tiplying and  envenoming  its  pernicious  tendencies. 

Does  any  one  doubt  the  power  of  tlie  periodical 
press  to  evoke  or  allay  the  unchristian  spirit  ?  Let 
liira  habitually  read  two  religious  newspapers,  dif- 
fering in  their  tone  and  temper,  —  the  one  kind, 
courteous,  fraternal  towards  all  denominations  of 
Christians;  the  other  controversial,  fault-finding, 
sarcastic, —  and,  if  he  will  carefully  observe  the  effect 
upon  his  own  sensitiveness,  he  will  soon  be  able  to 
bear  unequivocal  testimony  to  the  wide  difference 
of  their  tendencies.  The  former  Avill  ever  come 
like  an  excellent  oil  that  soothes,  refreshes,  and 
perfumes  his  inner  soul ;  while  every  sheet  of  the 
other  will  be  to  his  feelings  like  a  corrosive  cata- 
l)lasm,  blistering  whatever  it  touches.  TIic  one 
promotes  a  spirit  of  love  and  genial  iniion ;  the 
other  a  spirit  of  irritability,  jealousy  and  contention. 
The  one  strengthens  the  bonds  of  Christian  attach- 


204 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD, 


luent ;  the  other  harshly  rniDtiires  the  social  liga- 
ments, and  incapacitates  them  for  reunion. 

As  lovers  of  peace  and  harmony,  we  may  direct 
our  whole  influence  in  favor  of  a  press  whose  issues 
are  eminently  Christian.  We  may  keep  far  away 
from  ourselves  and  our  families  the  publications  that 
indulge  in  sneers  at  other  denominations,  and  cap- 
tious criticisms,  and  satirical  thrusts,  and  ungenerous 
insinuations  ;  we  may  welcome  those  —  and  such 
there  are  —  that  inculcate  sound  opinions  in  a 
lovely  spirit,  striving  to  tranquillize  the  perturbed 
elements,  and  to  cultivate  those  feelings  and  habits 
which  shall  bring  nearer  together  the  separated 
flock  of  Christ.  Happy  indeed  will  be  the  day 
when  all  writers  shall  be  peace-makers  in  Zion,  and 
when  all  their  readers  shall  be  lovers  and  promoters 
of  Christian  Brotherhood. 

AVE  MAY  IMPLORE  A  LARGER  EFFUSION  OF  THE 
HOLY  SPIRIT. 

"  There  is  one  Body  and  one  Spirit."  So  said 
an  inspired  Apostle  ;  and  in  his  day  there  was 
nothing  even  in  appearance  to  contradict  the  as- 
sertion, or  to  render  doubtful  its  cori'cctncss.  The 
whole  company  of  believers  was  that  one  Body. 
Though  composed  of  a  diversity  of  members,  yet 
they  were  all  so  arranged  and  "  fitly  framed  to- 


CHRISTIAN   BROTHERHOOD.  205 

getlier,"  as  to  constitute  one  compact,  symraetrical 
whole,  of  which  Christ  was  the  intelligent,  con- 
trolling Head,  In  this  Body  there  was  one  Spirit, 
and  that  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  dwelt  there  as  the 
animating,  assimilating,  combining  Principle.  So 
long  as  the  Spirit  inhabited  that  Body  as  the 
indwelling  Life,  the  Body  remained  united.  When 
the  Spirit  departed,  then  the  Body  began  at  once 
to  exhibit  signs  of  decomposition,  and  where  the 
carcass  was,  there  the  eagles  were  gathered  to- 
gether. From  that  time  to  the  present  the  defi- 
ciency of  spiritual  life  in  the  Church  has  been  the 
chief  preventive  to  the  reunion  of  her  separated 
elements.  When  the  scattered  fragments  of  a  man 
came  together  in  the  valley  of  vision,  they  were 
skilftilly  combined  into  a  perfect  form.  But  had 
not  the  Breath  entered  that  form  and  given  it 
animation,  it  would  soon  have  dissolved  and  be- 
come as  unsightly  as  before.  So  the  portions  of 
the  divided  Church  may  bo  brought  into  contact, 
and  by  riiechanical  forces  made  to  assume  the  ap- 
pearance of  unity;  but,  without  the  indwelling 
Spirit,  all  will  go  to  pieces  again,  and  be  more 
remote  than  ever  from  that  living  unity  which  was 
once  its  beauty  and  glory. 

If,  therefore,  we  desire  to  sec  Christians  united 
and  happily  cooperating  as  the  members  of  one 
Body,  enliveno<l  by  one  Spirit,  we  must,  iu  God's 
18 


206 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


appointed  way,  secure  the  return  of  that  grieved 
and  alienated  Agent  by  whom  alone  the  work  can 
be  accomplished.  He  only  can  counteract  that 
antagonist  agent  which  has  usurped  his  jslace  and 
reigned  as  the  spirit  of  division  and  death. 

In  all  ages,  just  so  far  as  Christians  have  enjoyed 
the  presence  and  the  fulness  of  the  Spirit,  have 
they  been  divested  of  the  sectarian  element,  and 
diligently  sought  for  some  common  basis  upon 
which  they  could  stand  side  by  side  evincing  to  the 
world  their  oneness  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  in  our 
day,  there  is  among  all  the  more  spiritual  members 
of  every  denomination  a  strong  tendency  towards 
a  greater  union.  When  a  religious  revival  com- 
mences in  a  place,  how  common  is  it  to  see  Chris- 
tians of  different  names  rush  together,  praying  and 
laboring  as  if  there  were  no  differences  of  opinion 
or  interest.  The  secret  of  this  affectionate  cooper- 
ation is  found  in  the  iircsencc  of  tlie  Holy  Spirit, 
whose  power  has  weakened  sectarian  rci)ulsion,«and 
given  increased  activity  to  Christian  attraction. 
When  this  extraordinary  Influence  is  withdrawn, 
how  often  do  Ave  see  the  different  denominations 
returning  to  their  respective  inclosures,  and  com- 
mencing a  most  unlovely  course  of  conduct !  In- 
stead of  endeavoring  to  nurse  and  instruct  the 
converts,  they  seem,  by  the  efforts  which  they 
make,  and  the  artifices  tlioy  employ,  to  be  intent 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHERHOOD. 


207 


upon  nothing  so  mnch  as  to  secure  the  largest  pos- 
sible number  to  swell  their  own  denominational 
triumph !  Their  union  in  the  first  instance  made 
a  powerful  impression  u^pon  the  community,  and 
facilitated  the  progress  of  the  good  work ;  and 
their  union  was  sincere,  for  it  was  the  product* 
of  the  Divine  Spirit.  But  the  subsequent  com- 
petitions and  conflicts  of  partisan  interests,  stirred 
up  by  the  agent  of  all  evil,  sickened  the  commu- 
nity, and  fastened  a  new  stigma  upon  revivals. 

Tiie  Spirit  of  God  is  not  wholly  absent  from  any 
of  Christ's  genuine  disciples.  Every  Cliristian 
is  a  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Every  evangelicr.1 
denomination  is  favored  with  the  visits  and  the 
benedictions  of  the  blessed  Comforter.  Conse- 
quently, all  Christians  have  some  points  of  resem- 
blance, and  some  love  one  to  another.  But  they 
have  not  enough  of  the  Spirit  to  make  that  resem- 
blance complete,  or  to  produce  tliat  mutual  affec- 
tion which  would  bind  them  indissolubly  together. 

To  this  point,  tlion,  avo  ought  to  direct  our  im- 
mediate and  earnest  attentioii.  The  great  want 
of  the  Ciiurch  universal  is  ours,  —  the  want  of  a 
large  measure  of  the  Divine  Influence.  The  Holy 
Spirit  is  preeminently  the  "llcpairer  of  the  breach, 
the  Restorer  of  paths  to  dwell  in,"  and  his  presence 
and  efficacious  operations,  are  everywhere  impera- 
tively needed.    Let  us  take  right  views  of  this 


208 


CHRISTIAN  BROTHEEHOOD. 


necessity,  and  open  our  hearts  as  well  as  our  un- 
derstandings to  the  full  force  of  the  conTiction, 
that  for  all  spiritual  improvement  we  are  dependent 
on  the  sauctifyhig  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  And 
let  us  pray  for  an  enlarged  eftusion  of  that  Spirit  — 
-the  needed  blessing,  and  the  one  which  Christ  has 
specially  promised  to  all  who  ask  it.  Let  us  pray 
more,  and  pray  better.  Let  us  be  such  in  chai'acter 
and  spirit  and  motive,  as  that  we  may  have  power 
with  God,  and  prevail.  Let  us  go  alone  and  pray 
that  the  Spirit  ma}-  return  to  us  and  to  all  Chris- 
tians in  his  fulness;  that  lie  may  descend  into  every 
one  of  our  hearts  as  the  purifying  flame,  and 
consume  all  the  unhoUness  of  our  natures,  and  that 
thus  we  may  be  individually  prcj^ared  for  the  great 
process  of  Clmstian  consolidation.  Let  us  unite 
with  all  who  love  the  Saviour,  to  pray  ;  and,  Avhile 
we  endeavor  to  unite  in  the  service  upon  Cluistian 
principles  and  for  Christian  ends,  let  us  lay  our 
hearts  together  before  the  throne,  and  call  down 
upon  them  the  only  Influence  that  can  melt  and 
blend  them  into  One. 


VALUABLE  WOTxKS 

rUBLISBED  BT 

GOULD  AND  LINCOLN, 

59  WASHINGTON  STREET,  BOSTON. 


SACRED  RHETORIC:  Or,  Composition  and  Delivery  of 
Sermonf.  By  Henry  J.  Ripley,  Prof,  in  Newton  Theol(^?ical  Institu- 
tion. Including  Ware's  ilints  uii  Extenjporaneous  Preacliiny.  Second 
thousand.    12mo,  75  cts*. 

An  admirable  work,  clcnr  and  succinct  in  its  positions,  and  well  supported  by  a  to- 
ricty  of  reading  and  illustrations.  —  .Y.  }'■  Literary  World. 

Wc  have  looked  oTcr  this  work  with  a  lively  interest.  It  is  will  conininnd  readers, 
being  a  comprehensive  manual  of  great  practical  utility.  —  P/iil.  Ch.  Chronicle. 

Tlie  author  contemplates  a  man  jn-ejittring  fo  coiii/.o^e  a  fliM-otirse,  and  unfolds  to 
him  the  process  throuL'h  which  his  mind  ought  to  pass.  V»'c  commend  the  work  to 
ministers,  and  to  those  preparing  for  the  sacred  office.—  P/iil.  Ch.  Observer. 

It  presents  a  rich  variety  of  rules  for  the  practical  use  of  clercrymcn.  and  evinces  the 
good  sense,  the  large  experience,  and  the  excellent  spirit  of  Dr.  Ripley.  Tlic  volumo 
is  well  fitted  to  instruct  and  stimulate  the  writer  of  sermons.  —  liiiiUothcca  Sacra. 

It  is  not  R  compilation,  but  is  an  original  treatise,  fresh,  practical,  and  coinprchen- 
Bivo.  and  n'lapted  to  the  pulpit  oflin-s  of  the  prc-icnt  day.  It  is  full  of  valuable  sug- 
gestions, and  abounds  with  clear  illustrations.  —  Zion's  Herald, 

It  cannot  l>c  too  frequently  perused  by  those  whose  duty  it  is  io persuade.—  Cong, 

His  canons  on  selecting  texts,  staling  the  proposition,  collecting  and  arranging  ma- 
terials, style,  delivery,  etc  .  arc  just,  and  well  stated.  —  C'A.  Mirror. 

It  IS  pervaded  by  a  manly  tone,  and  abounds  in  judicious  counsels;  it  is  compactly 
written  and  admirably  arranged,  both  for  study  and  reference.  —  X.  Y.  Recorder. 

THE   CHRISTIAN  WORLD  UNMASKED.    By  .Tonif 

Berkiucg,  a.  .M.,  Vicar  of  Kvcrlun,  nedfutilsliirp,  C'liaplain  to  llie  Right 
Iloii.  The  Earl  of  niiclian,  etc.  JVlio  FM'Uion.  Willi  l.ifc  of  Ilic  .Author, 
by  the  ItHV.  Thomas  Guthrie,  D.  D.,  Minister  of  Free  St.  John's,  Ed- 
inburjih.    Itinio,  cloth 

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■ifi'rior  erowlh  like  a  cedar  ot  Lebanon.  Itn  »ubjeet  i»  all  importanl ;  in  doctrine  it 
11  pound  to  the  core :  it  (:lfiw«  with  fervent  piety  ;  it  exhibits  a  nioBt  skilful  and  nnspar- 
»!'?  dlSHcction  of  the  dead  professor;  while  its  style  is  so  remarkable,  that  he  who 
could  preach  a;  Herrldgc  has  irrillcn,  would  hold  any  congregation  by  the  cars." 

THE  CHRISTIAN  REVIEW.    E.lilod  by  Prof.  Jamks  D. 

l<No\vi,i:s,  nARNA.s  .Sf.ars,  nnrl  .S.  r.  Smith.   8  vols.  C'oinniencing 

with  vol.  ono.    Half  cl.,  lettered,  8,00. 

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DR.  WILLIAMS'S  WORKS. 


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This  book  is  a  rare  phenomenon  in  these  days.  It  is  a  rich  exposition  of  Scripture, 
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We  are  reminded  of  the  old  English  writers,  whoso  vigorous  thought,  and  gorgooui 
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A  delightful  volume.  —  Methodist  Review. 

Glad  to  sec  this  volume.  We  wish  such  men  abounded  in  every  sect.  —  CVj.  Itcg. 
One  of  the  richest  volumes  tliot  has  been  given  to  the  public  for  yeori.  —  JBap.  Reg* 

Bb 


WORKS  BY  JOHN  AXGELL  JAMES. 


THE  CHURCH  IX  EARNEST.    ISmo,  cloth,  50  cts. 

Mr.  James's  writings  all  have  one  object,  to  do  execution.  lie  writes  under  im- 
pulse —  "  Do  something,  do  it.'*  He  aims  to  raise  the  standard  of  piety,  holiness  in 
the  heart,  and  holiness  of  life.  The  influence  of  this  work,  must  be  highly  salutary. 
—  Puritan  Recorder. 

Let  it  be  scattered  like  autumn  leaves.  'We  believe  its  perusal  will  do  much  to 
convince  and  arouse  the  Christian.  The  reader  will  feel  that  he  is  called  into  the 
Church  of  Christ,  not  to  enjoy  only,  but  to  labor.  -  K,  Y  Recorder. 

Purchase  a  number  of  copies  of  this  work,  and  lend  them  and  keep  them  in  circu- 
lation till  they  are  worn  out!  —  Mothers'  Assistant. 

Probably  no  writer  of  the  present  age  has  done  so  much  to  promote  the  interests  of 
vital  and  practical  religion  as  Mr.  James.  This  work  should  be  in  tlic  hands  of  every 
professor.  —  Congregational  Journal, 

A  more  important  work  could  not  be  presented  to  the  world  -  Jiap.  Jleniorial, 

This  new  work  of  Mr.  James  points  out  the  nature  and  cfTi-cts  of  earnest  piety 
with  reference  to  individual  action  for  the  promotion  of  one's  personal  religion,  the 
salvation  of  others,  the  religion  of  the  family,  and  of  the  diurch.  No  time  should  be 
lost  in  putting  it  into  the  hands  of  church  members.  —  Ch.  Mirror,  I'oftkmd. 

"  Its  arguments  and  appeal*  are  well  adapted  to  prompt  to  action.  "We  trust  it  will 
be  universally  read."  — X  T.  Obifcrver. 

To  give  the  work  a  word  of  approbation,  were  but  o  poor  tribute.  It  should  re- 
ceive the  earnest  attention  of  Christians  of  every  name.  —  Soutiiem  Lit.  Gazette. 

CHRISTIAN  PROGRESS;  a  Sequel  to  "  The  Anxious  In- 
quirer after  .Salvation.'*    Jtfmo,  clolli,  30  els. 

None  of  the  works  of  James's  (all  of  them  of  uncommon  practical  excellence)  are 
better  calculated  for  circulation  among  the  churches  than  this  It  ought  to  be  sold 
by  hundredsof  thousands,  until  every  church  inc-mber  in  the  land  has  bought, read, 
marked,  learned,  and  inwardly  digested.  —  Condregntionalist, 

To  every  lover  of  progressive  holiness,  we  commend  this  volume.  —  Ch.  St^cretary* 

So  eminently  is  it  adapted  to  do  good,  that  wc  feci  nu  surprise  that  it  should  make 
one  of  the  publishers' excellent  publications.  It  exhibits  the  whole  subject  of  growth 
in  grace  and  j^uards  the  young  Christian  against  many  mistakes,  into  which  he  is  io 
dangerof  falling.  —  Puritan  Recorder. 

Mr.  Janifj  has  rendered  himself  one  of  tlicmost  popular  and  useful  writers  of  the 
4ay.  —  Xton'n  Adi-ftrale 

It  is  written  ns  a  sefiucl  to  the  anxious  Inquirer, "  whosc^  praite  is  in  alt  the  chur- 
chet."  The  subject  is  one  of  equal  importance  and  the  author  addresses  himself 
with  characteristic  ardor  and  success  to  the  theme.  —  Sotdhcm  ISaptUt. 

CHURCH  MEMBER  S  GUIDE.    Edited  by  the  Rev.  J. 

Overton  Ciioi;i.e«,  1).  O,   New  Edition.   With  an  Introductory  Fm- 

say,  by  tlio  Rev.  lIunKAKU  Winslow,   Cloth,  33  cIj*. 

The  spontaneous  effiiHion  *tfour  hrnrt,on  laying  the  Imok  clown,  was,  —  may  cvcr> 
Church  member  In  our  land  poiaess  this  book.  —  ChrUtian  Secretary. 

A  potior  vyriiff,  **  I  sincerely  wiHh  that  every  professor  of  religion  In  the  land  may 
poaaess  this  excellent  manual.  I  am  anxious  that  every  member  of  my  church 
ihould  possess  it,  and  shall  be  happy  to  promote  Its  circulation."  Kk 


CHRISTIAN'S    DAILY  TREASURY. 

A  RELIGIOUS  EXERCISE  FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  TEAR. 

By  E.  Temple,  author  of  the  *'  Domestic  Altar.**    A  new  and 

improved  edition.    l*3nio,  cloth,  $1,00. 

A  work  for  every  Christian.    It  is  indeed  a  "  Ti-easury  "  of  good  things. 

If  any  book  of  modyrn  date  deserves  a  second  and  a  third  coinmend.ition,  it  ia 
this.  "We  wish  most  heartily  that  this  volume  were  tlic  daily  companion  of  every 
disciple  of  Clirist,  in  the  land.  Could  no  other  copy  be  obtained,  wc  would  not  part 
w  itli  our  own  for  ten  times  the  cost  of  it.  —  ('on'jrrf/ndanali.^l. 

'  Materials  for  reflection  and  meditation,  designed  tor  the  Christian  in  Iiis  daily  walk 
with  God.  —  rttritim  Recordtr. 
It  should  be  on  the  table  and  read  by  every  Christian.  —  CA.  Times, 
It  differs  from  any  tiling  we  have  met  with.  The  author  has  a  most  happy  tal. 
eiit  at  conveying  niiicli  important  trutli  in  a  few  wonls.  It  is  an  admirable  work 
worthy  to  be  read  by  every  Christian  and  studied  by  every  uiinister.  —  Dii.  Si'IUGUK, 
A&anf/  Atlas 

A  useful  evangelical  volume,  designed  to  assist  Christiana  iu  the  work  of  daily 
meditation  on  the  divine  word.  —  Christian  Ucrahl. 

A  grand  work  for  the  centre  table  of  every  Christian,  or  for  the  most  private  place, 
where  tliey  liold  communion  with  the  Invisible.  — Aihtmtj  Ch.  Spectator, 

It  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  kind  that  we  have  ever  examined.  It  is  a  trensw-y  of 
evangelical  truth  forcibly  expressed,  well  adapted  to  awaken  thought.  —  Phil.  Ch,  Ob. 

This  work  might  appropriately  be  called  a  guide  to  meditation.  Many  do  not  know 
lioir  to  meditate  A  careful  use  of  this  vohime,  will  do  very  much  to  fornt  liabits  of 
profitable  meditation.  —  i'Ai^.  Ch.  Chronicle, 

Were  these  "  Exercises  **  less  animated  and  hfe  like  we  might  call  them  skeletons^  ; 
but  skelulons  have  not  flesh  and  blood,  as  tlic  reader  finds  these  to  have.  We  prefer 
them  to  any  thing  of  the  kind  we  have  seen.  —  Dover  Star, 

This  is  a  precious  compendium  of  pious  reflections,  upon  happily-selected  Scrip- 
tures. It  is  superior  to  the  nuuuTOus  works  of  this  character  already  published,  and 
will  afturd  pleasure  and  protit  to  the  lulnisler,  and  private  Christian. —.Ii/i. 

We  give  it  our  most  decided  recommendation.  It  difl'ers  from  the  generality  of 
works  of  a  somewhat  similar  style,  in  that  they  consist  of  rejfcct  ions,  while  this  more 
particularly  forms  tJia  outlines  or  matcrials/or  reflection  and  meditation.  —  Otsenvr. 

There  is  no  volume  liaviug  the  same  aim  as  this,  can  compare  witli  it,  for  its  sng- 
yestive  properties  and  comprehensiveness.  —  Ch,  JJirror. 

It  breathes  the  spirit  of  the  gospv.-!.  It  is  eminently  suggestive  and  practical.  It 
deserves  a  place  in  every  Christian's  library.  —  N.  V.  Ref*ordc)r. 

This  excellent  treasury  furnishes  rich,  practical,  and  devotional  instruction.  It  ia 
well  to  feed  daily  on  such  spiritual  food.  —  X.  Y.  Ohnicrrfr, 

A  treasure,  indeed,  to  any  one  who  will  study  its  daily  lessons.—  Ch.  Index, 

THE  IMITATION  OF  CHRIST.     By  Thomas  a  Kemims. 

Iiitroditftory  F>say,  by  T  Chalmers,  D.  D.    New  ini[«rovcd  edition. 

Edited  by  the  Rnv.  Howard  .Malcom.  D.  O.  I8nio,  cU>tli,  'M  cis. 
"This  work  lias,  (or  three  hundred  years,  been  esteemed  one  of  the  heat  prac- 
tical books  in  cxisti-nce  and  has  gone  tlirou;:h  a  vast  number  of  edition!*,  not  only 
ill  the  original  Latin,  but  in  every  language  ol  Europe,  llr.  Vayfon,  once  fiiid  to  % 
yonng  minister  "  If  ycm  have  not  seen  '  TfitMua.^  a  Kem})is,'  I  beg  you  to  propuic  it. 
i)"or  spirituality  and  wennedness  from  the  wcn  ld.    I knoir  of  nothing  eqiml  tn  if." 

Tlut  this  adimrable  work  may  be  enjoyed  by  all,  the  translation  which  lu nt  agree* 
with  the  orifjinnl,  has  bccu  rcriud  and  adapted  to  use  by  Ur.  Malcom.    KI  ut 


RECENT  PUBLICATIONS. 


THE  E\-n)ENC£S  OF  CHRISTIANITY,  as  exhibited  in  ths 
writings  of  its  apologists,  down  to  AugustLue,  hj  W.  J.  Boltox. 
of  Gonv'lle  and  Caius  College,  Cambridge.   12mo,  clotb.   80  cts. 

This  volume  received  the  Hulsean  prize  (about  $500)  i  i  England.  The  anthor 
Is  evidently  a  very  learned  student  of  the  patristic  writings  and  the  whole  circle 
of  cccIesiasCical  history.  He  has  presented  to  the  world  in  this  essay  an  admi- 
rable compendium  of  the  arguments  for  the  tnith  of  Christianity  advanced  in 
the  works  of  the  Apologetic  Fathers  during  the  third,  fourth,  and  tifth  centuries 
of  the  Clirlstian  era.  These  arguments  are  classlUed  as  being  deduced  from 
antecedent  probability,  from  antiquity,  from  prophecy,  from  miracles,  from  the 
reasonableness  of  doctrine,  from  superior  morality,  and  from  the  success  of  the 
Gospel.  —  iV.  T.  Commercial. 

We  thankfully  accept  such  an  eSbrt  as  this  of  a  profound  and  bighly-culttvated 
mind.  —  Puritan  Recorder. 

The  work  bears  the  marks  of  great  research,  and  must  command  the  attention 
and  confidence  of  the  Christian  world.  —  Mercantile  Journal. 

THE  BETTER  LAND  ;  or,  Thoughts  on  Heaven.    By  A.  C. 

TiToMi'soy,  Pastor  of  the  Eliot  Church,  Roxbury.  12mo,  cloth. 
^    Sl.OO.    yu-vt  published. 

THE  MISSION  OF  THE  COMFORTER;  with  copious  Notes. 
By  Julius  Charlks  Hake.  Xotes  translated  for  the  Amerioaci 
edition.    12mo,  cloth.  $1.25. 

Klch  In  spirituality,  strong  and  sound  in  theologj-,  comprehensive  In  thonght, 
vigorous  and  beautiful  in  Imagination,  affluent  in  learning.  —  Congreuationalist. 

We  have  seMom  read  a  book  with  greater  Interest.  —  .V.  T.  Evingelist. 

■Hie  volnmc  is  of  rare  value,  and  will  be  welcomed  as  an  eloquent  and  Scriptu- 
ral exposition  of  some  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  our  faith.  —  H.  Y.Rccorder 

THE  VICTORY  OF  FAUrH.  By  Julius  Cii.vrles  Hare,  author 
of  "  Tho  Mission  of  the  Comforter,"  etc.   12mo,  clotb.   In  press. 

FIRST  LINES  OF  CHRISTI.VN  THEOLOGY.  In  the  form  of 
a  Syllabus,  for  tho  uso  of  Students.    Koyal  octavo.  $5.00. 

O"  A  moit  importaut  work  for  ministers  and  theological  students. 

THE  RELIGIONS  OF  THE  WORLD,  and  thtir  rclaHons  to 
Christianity.  By  Furdkuicic  Deniso.s  Macuice,  A.  M.,  Profes- 
sor of  Divinity  in  King's  College,  London.   lUmo,  clotL.   GO  eta 

The  effort  Is  masterly,  and.  In  any  event,  must  prove  highly  Intercj'ing  by  t!ie 
omparlsons  which  It  Institutes  with  the  false  and  the  true.  —  llethoi.  Quartcrtu. 

GUIDO  AND  JULIUS.    The  Doctrine  of  Si.v  and  the  Pro- 
PITIATOII  ;  or,  the  Truo  Consecration  of  tho  Doubter.  By  F.  Aua 
0.  Tholuch,  D.D.  Translated  by  Joxathan  Edwards  Utland 
Introduction  by  John  PvE  Smith,  D.D.    16mo,  cloth.    00  ot« 
tSr  Tre-emlnently  a  book  for  the  ilinej  —  full  of  Interest,  and  of  great  pc  wtt 

II) 


IMPORTANT  WORK. 


KITTO'S  POrULAR  CYCLOPAEDIA  OF  BIBLICAL 

LITERATURE.  Condensed  from  tlie  larger  work.  By  Ilie  Author, 
Joiix  KiTTO,  D.  D.,  Aiillior  of  "Scri()tiire  Daily  Readings,"  &r.  As- 
sisted by  James  Taylor,  D.  D.    W ah  over  :>00  JUustratwns.  3,00. 

This  work  is  designed  to  furnish  a  Dictionarv  of  the  Bicle,  embodying  the 
products  of  the  best  and  most  recent  researches  in  bibUcal  Utcruture,  in  which  the 
scholars  of  Europe  and  America  have  been  enrjaged.  The  work,  tlie  result  of  iia- 
mensc  labor  and  research,  is  pronounced,  by  universal  consent,  the  best  work  of  its 
class  extant.  It  is  not  only  intended  i'or  mint^tcrs  and  t/icuhgtcat  students,  but  is  al^o 
particularly  adapted  to  i/arcu/.%  Suhbath  school  teachers^  and  t/ie  great  hodi/  of  the  re- 
h'jiouspvUw.  The  illustrations,  amounting  to  more  than  300,  are  of  the  highest  order.' 
A  condrnsc'l  view  of  the  various  topics  comjtrchended  m  the  work. 

1.  BiBMCAL  Ckiticism,  — Embracing  the  History  of  the  Bible  Languages!  Can- 
on of  Scripture;  Literary  History  aud  rcculiahties  of  the  Sacred  Books;  formation 
and  History  of  Scripture  Texts, 

2.  IIisToKV,  —  Proper  Names  of  Persons:  BiOCTaphical  Sketches  of  prominent 
Characters ;  Detailed  Accounts  of  important  Kvents  recorded  in  Scripture ;  Chronul- 
ogy  aud  Genealogy  of  Scripture. 

3.  GEOciurnv,  —  Names  of  Places;  Description  of  Scenery ;  Boundaries  and  Mu- 
tual Relations  of  the  Countries  mentioned  in  Scripture,  so  far  as  necessary  to  illus- 
iratc  the  Sacred  Text. 

4.  Altc n. 110 l.oci V,  —  Manners  and  Customs  of  the  Jews  and  other  nations  men- 
tioned in  Scripture ;  their  Sacred  Institutions,  ililitary  Affairs,  Pohtieal  Arrangc- 
ments,  Literary  and  Scientific  Pursuits. 

5.  PiivSK'.ii.  Science, —  Scripture  Cosmogony  and  Astronomy,  Zoology,  Min- 
eralogy, Botany,  Meteorology. 

In  addition  to  numerous  flattering  notices  and  reviews,  personal  letters  from  ji 
iarge  number  ty'the  most  distinguished  Ministers  and  La'jnien  ofdijhrent  r*  Itgious  dtt~ 
f.ominolions  in  the  counlrff  have  been  received,  highly  commending  this  work  as  ad- 
mirably adapted  to  ministers,  Sabbath  school  teachers,  heads  of  families,  aud  all 
.-^ble  students. 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  is  a  fair  specimen  of  individual  letters  received 
<:-in  each  of  the  gentlemen  whose  names  arc  given  below  :  — 

"  I  have  examined  it  with  special  and  unalloyed  satisfaction.  II  has  the  rare  merit 
•  ;■  being  all  that  it  professes  to  be;  and  very  few,  I  am  sure,  who  may  consult  it  will 
<  ?ny  that,  in  richness  and  fulness  of  detail,  it  surjiasses  their  expoetnlion.  Slany 
:  .inisters  will  lind  it  a  valuable  auxiliary  ;  but  its  chief  excellence  is,  that  it  furnishci 
bat  the  facilities  which  are  needed  by  the  thousands  in  families  and  Sabbath  scbools, 
T.hO  are  engaged  in  the  important  business  of  biblical  education.  It  is  in  itself  a  U- 
iury  of  relialile  information." 

W.  B.  Sprague,  D.  D.,  Albany  ;  J.  J.  Carruthcrs,  D.  D.,  Portland !  Joel  Howes. 
'X  D.,  Ilnrtfiud,  Ct. :  Daniel  Sharp,  D.  D.,  Boston  ;  N.  L.  Frothincham.  D.  D..  Bo»- 
lon;  Ephraim  Peabody.  D.  D.,  Boston  ;  A.  L.  Stone.  Boston ;  John  S.  Stone,  D.  1).. 
.-'rooklyn  ;  J.  B.  W.ilerhury,  D.  D..  Boston  ;  Bamn  Stow,  D.  D..  Boston  :  Tlionws  11 
fckinncr,  D.  D..  New  York';  Samuel  W.  Worcester,  D.  D.,  Salem:  Horace  Buslinell. 
;  .  D  ,  Hartford.  Ct. :  llicht  Uevcrend  J.  M.  Wninwrieht.  D.  D..  New  York  ;  linrdner 
i  nring.  D.  I)..  New  Y  >rk  ;  W.  T.  Dwight.  1).  D..  Portland  ;  K.  N.  Kirk,  Boston ;  Prof. 
>',.>or(!e  Bush,  author  of  ••  Notes  on  the  Scriptures."  New  York;  Howard  Moleom. 
I).  D..  author  of  "  Bible  Dictionary:"  Henry  J.  Kiplcy.  D.  D..  author  of  "Notes  on 
I'  1  Scriptures;"  N.  Porter,  IVif.  in  Yale  (.•ollcee.  New  Haven.  Ct;  Jnred  Sparks. 
1  Iward  ICverctt  Theodore  Fri  linghuysen.  Hol>ert  C.  Wintlirop,  John  McLean.  Si- 
ri  -n  Grecnleal'.  Thomas  S.  Williums.— and  n  luree  number  of  others  of  like  char- 
m  lor  anil  standing  of  the  above,  whose  names  cimiiot  here  appear.  II 

I 


IMPORTANT  WORKS. 

ANALYllCAL  CONCORDANCE  OF  THE  HOLY 
SCRIITURES;  or,  The  Bible  presented  under  Distinct  and  CIas.«i- 
fied  Heads  or  Topics.  By  John  Eauie,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  Author  ot 
the  Biblical  Cyclopaedia,"  '*  Dictionary  of  the  Bible,''  &c.,  &c. 
One  volume,  royal  octavo,  836  pp.  Cloth,  S3.00;  sheep,  S3.50.  Just 
published. 

The  publishers  would  call  the  special  attention  of  clergymen  to  the  peculiar 
features  of  this  great  work. 

1.  It  i9  a  concordance  of  au^Jects^  not  of  words.  In  this  it  diflora  from  the  com- 
mon concordance,  which,  of  course,  it  does  not  supersede. 

2.  It  embraces  all  the  topics,  both  seculur  and  religious,  which  arc  naturally 
8ua:ge8tcd  by  the  entire  contents  of  the  Bible.  In  this  it  differs  from  Scripture 
Manuals  and  Topical  Text-books,  which  arc  confined  to  religious  or  doctrinal  topics. 

3.  It  contains  the  whole  of  the  iSihlc  without  abriftffmcnt,  diflfcring  in  no  respect 
from  the  Bible  in  common  use,  except  in  the  classttication  of  its  contents. 

4.  It  contains  a  synopsis,  separate  from  the  concordance,  presenting  within  the 
compass  of  a  few  pages  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the  whole  contents. 

H.  It  contains  a  table  of  contents,  embracing  nearly  two  thousand  heads,  arranged 
in  alphabetical  order. 

The  purchaser  gets  not  only  a  Concordance,  but  also  a  BUJe,  in  this  volume.  The 
superior  convenience  arising  out  of  this  fact,  —  saving,  as  it  does,  the  necessity  of 
having  two  books  at  hand  and  of  making  two  references,  instead  of  one,  —  will  be 
readily  apparent. 

The  general  subjects  (under  each  of  which  there  arc  a  vast  number  of  sub-divi- 
■ions)  are  arranged  as  follows,  viz.  : 

Agriculture,— Animals,— Architecture,—  Army,— Arms,— Body,— Canaan,— Covc- 
nant,— Diet  and  Dress,— Disease  and  Death,— Earth,— Family,— Genealogy,— God, 
Heaven,— Idolatry,  Idols,— Jesus  Christ,— Jews,- Laws,— Magistratcs.-Man, -Mor- 
rioge,— Metals  and  Minerals,- Ministers  of  Religion,- Miraclcs.-Occupations,— 
Ordinances,— Parables  andEmblems,— Persecution,— Praise  and  Pmycr,— Prophecy, 
I*rovidcncc,— Rfdcmption,— Sabbaths  and  Iloly  Days,— Sacrifice,- Scriptures, — 
Speech,— Spirits, -Tabernacle  and  Temple,— Vineyard  and  Orchard,- Visions  and 
Dreams,— War,— WottT. 

It  is  adapted  ' not  only  to  assist  the  student  in  prosecuting  the  investigation  of 
preconceived  ideas,  but  also  to  impart  ideas  which  the  most  careful  reading  of  tha 
Bible  in  its  ordinary  arrangement  might  not  suggest  Let  him  take  up  uny  one  of 
the  subjects —"  Agriculture,"  for  example— and  see  if  such  be  not  the  case. 

No  Biblical  student  would  willin^-ly  dispense  with  this  Concordance  when  once 
possessed.  It  is  adapted  to  the  necesHitics  of  all  classes,  —  clergymen  and  theo- 
logical students;  Sabbath-school  superintcndenti  and  teachers;  authors  engaged 
in  the  composition  of  religious  and  even  secular  works. 

A  COMMENTARY  ON  THE  ORIGINAL  TEXT  OF 
tup:  acts  ok  TIIK  APOSTLKS.  Ily  Ilmalio  15.  llack.tt.  D.  1)., 
Prof,  of  Biljlicnl  Lit.  and  Iiiteri>rctation,  Newton  Tbcologicul  lus. 
[l7~Ncw,  revised,  and  enlarged  edition.    In  Press. 

tiar  Thin  mfHit  important  and  very  popular  work,  Irnn  tjccn  throughly  rcvlwd 
and  oonil(lcral)ly  onlarRCd  by  the  introduction  of  Important  new  nmttcr,  Iho  rciiult 
ot  the  Autluir'«  continued,  lol>oriouiilnvciti«ation»iiincc  the  publlcoliun  of  Ihe  flril 
edition,  aided  liy  the  more  rceent  puhllnhed  crllclinn  of  other  diitingulnhcd  Bibli- 
cal 8cholar>,  In  thl»  country  ond  In  Kurnpc.  '..> 


IMPORTANT  NEW  WORKS. 


THE  CHRISTIAN  LITE  :  Social  and  Indi^'idual.  By  Peter 

Bayne,  a.  M.   12mo,  cloth.  §?1.25. 

Contents,  Pai-t  I.  —  Statejient.  The  Individual  Life  ;  tlie  Social  Life.  Part 
n.  — Exposition  ani>  Ii,li:stkation.  First  rriuciples  ;  Howard,  and  tlie  rise  of 
Piii Ian th ropy  ;  Wilberforce,  and  the  development  of  Philanthropy  ;  Budgett,  the 
Christian  Freeman  ;  the  social  problem  of  the  age,  and  one  or  two  hints  towardi  its 
solution  ;  Modern  Doubt ;  John  Foster  ;  Thomas  Arnold  ;  Thomas  Chahuers.  Part 
UI.  — Outlook.    The  Positive  Philosophy  ;  Pantheistic  Spirituahsm. 

Particular  attention  is  invited  to  this  work.  Its  recent  publication  in  Scotland  pro- 
Juced  a  great  sensation.  Ilugh  Miller  made  it  the  subject  of  an  elaborate  review  in 
his  paper,  the  Edinburgh  "  "Witness,"  and  gave  his  readers  to  understand  that  it  was 
an  extraordinary  work.  The  "News  of  the  Churches,"  the  monthly  organ  of  the 
Scottish  Free  Church,  was  equally  emphatic  in  its  praise,  pronouncing  it  "the  relig- 
ious book  of  the  season."  Strikingly  original  in  plan  and  brilliant  in  execution,  it  far 
surpasses  the  expectations  raised  by  the  somewhat  familiar  title.  It  is,  in  truth,  a 
hold  onslaught  (and  the  first  of  the  kind)  upon  the  Pantlieism  of  Carlyle,  Fichte,  etc., 
by  an  ardent  admirer  of  Carlyle  ;  and  at  the  same  time  an  exhibition  of  the  Cluistian 
Life,  in  its  inner  principle,  and  as  illustrated  in  the  Hvcs  of  Howard,  "Wilberforcc, 
Budgett,  Foster,  Chalmers,  etc.  The  brilliancy  and  vigor  of  the  author's  style  are 
rumarkahle. 

PATRL\IICHY;  or,  The  Family;  its  Constitution  and 
Probation.  By  Joun  IIakuis,  D.  D..  President  of  ^'  New  College,'* 
London,  and  author  of  ^' The  Great  Teacher,"  *'Mamiuou,"  etc. 
12mo,  cloth.  31.25. 

The  public  are  here  presented  with  a  work  on  a  subjoct  of  universal  interest,  by 
one  of  the  most  able  and  popular  living  authors.  It  is  u  work  that  should  liiid  a  place 
in  every  family,  containing,  as  it  docs,  a  profound  and  eloquent  exposition  of  the 
constitution,  laws,  and  history  of  the  Family,  us  well  as  much  important  instruction 
and  sound  advice,  touching  the  family,  family  government,  family  education,  ete.» 
oJ'the  present  time. 

This  is  the  third  and  last  of  a  series,  by  the  same  author,  entitled  "  Contributions 
to  Theological  Science."  The  plan  of  this  scries  is  highly  original,  ond  thus  far  has 
been  mest  successfully  executed.  Of  the  first  two  in  the  ecrics,  "  Pre- Adamite 
JCarth,"  and  "  Man  Primeval,"  wo  have  already  issued  four  and  five  editions,  and  the 
demand  still  continues.  The  immense  sole  of  a^l  Dr.  Harris's  works  attest  their  in- 
trinsic popularity. 

"The  present  ape  has  not  produced  his  Hwperiorns  an  original,  stirring,  elegant 
writer."  — PiiiLAUELi'ijiA  Ciikistian  Ciiieonicle. 

(3i0D  REVEALED  IN   NATURE   AND   IN  CUEIST; 
Iiiclndinp;  a  Kcfutation  of  the  Development  Theory  coutaiiieil  in  the 
'■  Vesti^'es  of  the  Katiiral  History  of  Creation."    13y  the.  author  of 
'•The  rhilosopiiy  of  the  I'lau  of  Salvation.''    12mo,  cloth.  SFl.iS. 
Tlio  nutlior  of  tlmt  roimirkublc  book,  "  Tin'  rhilosopiiy  of  the  PInii  of  Snlvntioii," 
lins  (lovotoil  several  years  of  iiice.'isant  lubor  to  the  iireimration  of  this  work.    It  l\ir- 
iiishes  a  new,  un'l,  ns  It  is  conceived,  n  conchi.sivo  ftrrriiment  npniiist  the  "develop- 
incnt  theory  "  so  ingeniously  niniiilninerl  in  the  "  ^'cstiges  of  the  Nut\irul  Ilistory  of 
Creation."   As  this  author  does  not  pnhlish  except  when  he  hns  something  to  stiy, 
there  is  good  reason  to  entieipate  thnt  the  work  will  lie  one  of  nniisuul  interest  and 
v.^l^le.    Ilis  former  hook  lins  met  with  the  most  sipnnl  siie'^ess  in  hoth  hemi.>--pheres, 
having  passed  Ihroonh  nnnu  rcnis  eiiilions  in  Koflnnd  mid  Scotland,  and  heen  trans- 
lated into  four  of  the  Knropean  languages  besides-  7'  is^ilso  about  to  be  trnn'  lntetl 
into  the  Ilindo.^tnnee  tongue.  (iji) 


